Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Adds Another Prominent Harrisburg Lobbyist to Its Ranks: Jim Welty Joins Government Relations Practice

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC announced today that Jim Welty, a prominent public policy advisor in the areas of tax, business consulting, energy and health care, will join the firm's Government Relations Practice on November 6. This news comes on the heels of another big addition – Pennsylvania Department of Welfare Executive Deputy Secretary Timothy Costa joined the firm's Government Relations Practice just two months ago.

"As the largest state government relations practice, Buchanan provides a great opportunity to expand my representation of key business interests in the Commonwealth," Welty said. "I look forward to sharing my experience and expertise with such a well-respected base of clients and the entire Buchanan team," he added.

Welty has provided state and local legislative and administrative lobbying, coalition building, government affairs and business consulting to clients of one of the largest law firms in the U.S. He previously served as vice president of legislative and corporate affairs for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, where he oversaw the day-to-day lobbying operations and served as the liaison for major corporate investors in the organization.

"Jim is a recognized leader in the Commonwealth and in Harrisburg," stated Tom Paese, Chair of Buchanan's Government Relations practice. "His concentrated background in providing valuable government affairs counsel to clients in the areas of tax, energy, finance and health care are directly in line with our client base," he added. 

Prior to his work with the Chamber, Welty was Pennsylvania's state director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). As chief lobbyist, he coordinated all of NFIB's government affairs operations in the Commonwealth. Prior to the NFIB, Welty was director of legislative issues and research for the Pennsylvania Bankers Association.

In 2006, Welty was named to the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal's list of "Movers and Shakers." In 2005, he was recognized as one of the region's "40 Under 40" award recipients. Welty was also recognized by his peers as one of Harrisburg's up-and-coming lobbyists in a 2001 article published by the Harrisburg Patriot News.

About the Firm

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC has more than 450 attorneys and government relations professionals, with offices in California, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

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