Long-time R+C Lobbyists Susan Halpin and Brooks Campion become co-principals
HARTFORD, CT (March 9, 2023) – Robinson+Cole is pleased to announce that its Government Relations Group will operate as the CT Government Relations Group of Robinson+Cole LLC (CTGRG-RC)—a subsidiary of the law firm. The entity will continue to be led by long-time Robinson+Cole team members Susan J. Halpin and Brooks C. Campion, who will serve as co-principals of the new subsidiary.
“For more than three decades Susan and Brooks have been helping clients advance, shape and defend positions in a myriad of critical public policy areas, including some of the most high profile health, energy, taxation, employment and environmental protection legislative initiatives and agency regulations,” said Robinson+Cole Managing Partner Rhonda J. Tobin. “We are excited to formalize the CTGRG-RC entity with Susan and Brooks continuing to lead the team in Connecticut.”
The scope of services offered by Robinson+Cole’s Connecticut government relations and lobbying practice encompasses all aspects of administrative and legislative lobbying, crisis management, press and public relations, and grassroots organizing. Robinson+Cole was named in the Hartford Business Journal’s 2023 and 2022 Book of Lists as the third largest lobbying firm in Connecticut. In addition to Halpin and Campion, the team included lobbyists Hilary Felton-Reid, Melanie Flaherty, Evan Dantos, Associate Lobbyist, Tyler Anderson, and Operations Manager, Callyn Priebe.
“The formation of the new subsidiary better reflects the nature of our over three decades-long relationship with Robinson+Cole and represents an exciting opportunity for us both personally and professionally,” said Halpin.
“Our team has had the good fortune to represent a wide array of clients with diverse needs. Best of all, we’ve been able to represent many of our active clients for well over a decade, which continues to be a great source of pride for all of us,” said Campion. “Thanks to the formation of the new subsidiary, we look forward to what the future has in store.”
Susan J. Halpin is a co-principal and lobbyist with direct responsibility for health care and insurance matters. In that capacity, she also serves as the executive director and public spokesperson for one of the state’s largest trade associations. Halpin is privileged to co-lead the government relations and strategic political communications on behalf of a federally recognized tribal nation and their associated resort and casino. She has extensive experience in both legislative and administrative lobbying representing a wide range of clients and issues, as well as in the practice of association management. Over her tenure, Halpin has headed up numerous collaborative initiatives within various industry sectors focused on coalition building, public relations, and grassroots engagement. From specific legislation aimed at single company practices to broad state budget and tax issues, she has been involved in matters of policy at all levels of state government. After initially serving as an aide in the State Senate, Halpin joined the lobbying group
Duffy/Stover Inc. which became part of Robinson+Cole in 1991. In 2018, Halpin was named Co-Principal of the Robinson+Cole Government Relations Group leading the state team of lobbyists. As a result of her engagement on behalf of the Connecticut Association of Health Plans (CTAHP), the organization that directs the Connecticut lobbying interests of Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, ConnectiCare and United Healthcare, Halpin was selected for inclusion in the HBJ’s 2021 and 2020 Power 25 Health Care list, which identifies leaders who have a significant impact on the industry and public health. Halpin is a member of the Connecticut Association of Lobbyists.
Brooks Campion joined Robinson+Cole in 1999, and has specialized in energy, telecommunications, taxation, economic development, environmental permitting and employment issues. Beyond direct lobbying, Campion has been involved in negotiations that resulted in some of Connecticut’s highest profile economic development initiatives whereby public private partnerships secured jobs and revenue for the state long into the future. Thanks to the group’s diverse energy practice Campion has also advanced major energy infrastructure construction across the state. She previously served as a court planner with the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s Office of Alternative Sanctions, where she was instrumental in the development of numerous special dockets of the Superior Court, including Connecticut’s first Community Court and Juvenile Drug Court, located in Hartford. Campion also served as a policy aide to the House Democratic Caucus under the leadership of the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, with responsibility for galvanizing members and their constituencies to advance leadership’s priority legislation. In addition, she directed three campaigns for state representatives and contributed her time to special elections throughout Connecticut. Campion has served as a member of the board of trustees of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts and as president of the Association of Connecticut Lobbyists.
About Robinson+Cole
Robinson+Cole is an AmLaw 200 law firm established over 178 years ago, with a deeply-rooted culture of collaboration, civility and inclusion. The Mansfield Rule Certified-firm has more than 250 lawyers in eleven offices throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Florida and California, serving regional, national, and international clients, from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies. Robinson+Cole is a service mark of Robinson & Cole LLP. For more information, please visit www.rc.com.