Veteran Lobbyist Brady J. Benford Joins Ballard Partners

Government affairs firm Ballard Partners announced Wednesday the addition of Brady J. Benford as a partner in its Tallahassee office.

With 15 years' experience in government relations, Benford has advocated before both legislative and executive branches on a variety of high-profile issues such as casino gaming, pari-mutuel wagering, tobacco, alcohol, retail convenience stores, telecommunications and health care.

“Ballard Partners prides itself on recruiting the best and brightest talent so that we can achieve outstanding results for our clients. With his broad expertise and great working relationships with decision makers, Brady will be an integral part of our efforts and I am pleased to welcome him to the team,” Brian Ballard, president of Ballard Partners, said in a press statement.

Since 2010 Benford has served as the governmental affairs consultant for Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart P.A. During that time is clients included  several Fortune 500 companies, which he represented before the Legislature, Cabinet, executive agencies and other governmental entities. He also managed the firm’s regulated industries practice and advised clients on legislative and executive issues, campaign participation strategy and the drafting of legislation.

Prior to Gunster, Benford spent seven years as the governmental affairs director at Akerman Senterfitt law firm. There he oversaw the representation of numerous clients, managed the firm’s regulated industries practice, advised clients and the firm on strategy for many local and statewide campaigns and advised clients on extensive legislative and executive issues.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the best governmental affairs firm in the state and the amazing team of professionals at Ballard Partners,” said Benford. “I believe my experience and background will serve the clients at Ballard Partners well and I look forward to helping them accomplish their legislative priorities.”