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State legislation and regulation can greatly affect every industry. In Florida’s complex and ever-evolving economy, it is vital that businesses take a proactive approach to navigating the governmental policies and decisions that impact their business interests and priorities before they are adopted. Our Government Affairs team’s primary focus is to guide clients through the maze of regulations relevant to their business and to formulate and execute strategies to achieve their desired policy goals. We help clients craft solution-driven advocacy plans and targeted legislative and executive initiatives.

Our team closely monitors both the legislative and executive branches to keep our clients well-informed of emerging legislative and regulatory developments. By regularly analyzing and tracking the progress of significant legislation and agency actions that will impact our clients, we are able to protect their interests and provide them with critical insights into avoiding regulatory obstacles. Additionally, we proactively advocate for clients’ positions, enabling them to take advantage of new opportunities. Our representation is ongoing, advising clients before, during and after changes occur. We are committed to relentlessly championing for our clients to ensure they are well-represented before the Florida legislature, executive agencies, and local governments year-round.

Through decades of practice in both the public and private sectors, our team has established a deep understanding of the technical and procedural aspects of the policy-making process at the federal, state and local levels. We have experience developing and implementing policy, strong and enduring relationships with government decision-makers and industry associations, and a broad knowledge of the process and issues that shape Florida’s unique political and economic landscape. We are adept at maneuvering around political, legislative and regulatory obstacles to achieve our clients’ objectives. Our statewide practice allows us to routinely engage with federal, state, and regional agencies and local government offices. Our capital office provides convenient access for regular and immediate interaction with all state agencies. We leverage our long-standing relationships with key elected officials and external stakeholders to act as a catalyst for change and facilitate favorable outcomes in line with clients’ goals.

Our Government Affairs team works collaboratively statewide with all of our offices. We enjoy the convenience, resources, credibility, and visibility of a large law firm while providing the personal attention, accessibility, dependability, and passion of a boutique firm. Understanding that Government Affairs influences nearly every industry, our team partners with other strategic practice areas in the Firm leveraging, building upon and expanding the Firms’ deep relationships, diverse collective experience and full-service capabilities.

Range of Services

  • Government & Agency Affairs
  • Governmental Liaison
  • Rulemaking, Bill & Amendment Drafting
  • Issues Research & Management
  • Intelligence Gathering, Evaluation & Monitoring of Legislation & Agency Actions
  • Strategic Planning & Legislative Strategy
  • Florida Executive Branch and Agencies
  • Florida Legislature
  • Federal Agencies
  • Local Governments
  • Coalition Management
  • Public Policy
  • Public Relations
  • Ethics Compliance
  • Cross Functional Relationships
  • Risk Assessment

Meet the Team

Marco T. Paredes, Jr.
Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Director of Government Affairs

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Tallahassee
850-354-7608
vCard

Patricia A. Conners
Patricia A. Conners

Patricia A. Conners

Shareholder

View Full Bio
Tallahassee
850-354-7622
vCard

Industry Experience
  • Ad Valorem Tax
  • Affordable Housing
  • Arts, Sports & Culture
  • Banking & Finance
  • Cannabis (Hemp/Medical Marijuana)
  • Construction
  • Cybersecurity
  • Education
  • Election Policy
  • Environmental
  • Growth Management, Land Use, and Land Development
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • Insurance
  • Labor & Employment
  • Life Sciences
  • Real Estate
  • Technology
  • Transportation

Newsroom

Events: Legislative Developments Affecting the Real Estate Industry
Florida Eminent Domain Conference |November 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Darrin J. Quam

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week 1 | September 18-22, 2023
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Publications: Wrap-up of the 2023 Legislative Session
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|August 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Summer 2023
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2023|Jessica M. Icerman, Nicole A. Neugebauer, Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Events: WEBINAR: SB102 “The Live Local Act”
Stearns Weaver Miller Webinar |May 2023|S. Elise Batsel, Brian J. McDonough, Nicole A. Neugebauer, Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 9 | May 1-5
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 8 | April 24-28
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 6 | April 10-13
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Publications: At the Halfway Point of the 2023 Legislative Session
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|April 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

In the Media: Tallahassee Business Podcast: Ep. 128 Live Local Act: What Does it Mean For Businesses?
Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce|April 2023

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 5 | April 3-7
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Publications: Senate Bill 102: How the “Live Local Act” Incentivizes Affordable and Workforce Housing in the State of Florida
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2023|Brian J. McDonough, Nicole A. Neugebauer, Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 4 | March 27-31
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Affordable Housing News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: Live Local Act Signed Into Law
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2023|Jacob T. Cremer, Jessica M. Icerman, Brian J. McDonough, Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 3 | March 20-24
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 2 | March 13-17
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #7
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #6
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #5
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #4
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #3
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Interim Committee Week #2
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2023|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Publications: Interim Committee Week #1
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|December 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Publications: Hurricane Ian & Legislative Special Session
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|November 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Publications: 3 Florida Constitutional Amendments on the November Ballot
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|October 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Events: Florida Eminent Domain Conference
October 2022

In the Media: The 'Heat' Around the Corner
Florida Politics |September 2022

Publications: The Way Too Early 2023 Legislative Session Preview
Tallahassee Bar Association Bulletin|August 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Events: It’s Not the End of the World, Just the End of Another Session: Making Sense of Legal Notices Going Digital and Changes to Building Regulations
Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Executive Council Meeting |July 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: Hillsborough County Proposes Significant Updates to Comprehensive Plan
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2022|S. Elise Batsel, Jacob T. Cremer, Vinette D. Godelia, Jessica M. Icerman, Nicole A. Neugebauer, Nicholas M. Sanders

Events: A Look Back at the 2022 Legislative Session
Tallahassee Bar Association |June 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Events: WEBINAR: 2022 Florida Legislative Session Wrap Up
Stearns Weaver Miller Webinar |April 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 9 | March 7-11
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 8 | February 28 - March 4
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |March 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Publications: Can You Force Your Employees to Arbitrate Sexual Harassment Claims?
BeLabor the Point Blog|March 2022|Lisa K. Berg, Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 6 | February 14-18
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 5 | February 7-11
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 4 | January 31 - February 4
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 3 | January 24-28
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 2 | January 17-21
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Rotunda Report Week 1 | January 11-14
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Events: WEBINAR: A Preview of the 2022 Florida Legislative Session
Stearns Weaver Miller Webinar |January 2022|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Publications: Florida’s New Anti-Vaccine Mandate Law
BeLabor the Point Blog|November 2021|Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Thomas C. Raine, Andrew L. Rodman

Publications: Stuck In The Middle With You
BeLabor the Point Blog|November 2021|Eric K. Gabrielle, Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 State of Emergency Lapses: Extend Your Permits NOW
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2021|Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jacob T. Cremer, Jessica M. Icerman, Kenneth B. Metcalf, AICP, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Christopher P. Smith

Government Affairs News Update, Publications: Has Permanent Alimony Met its Demise in Florida? Stay Tuned...
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2021|Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Barry M. Wayne

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 25
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2021|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, Christopher P. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

Firm Announcements: Stearns Weaver Miller Names Marco T. Paredes, Jr. as Shareholder
February 2021

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 24
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |January 2021|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, Christopher P. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 23
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |December 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, Christopher P. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 22
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |October 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, Christopher P. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 21
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, Christopher P. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 20
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, Christopher P. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 19
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr., Christopher P. Smith

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 18
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|August 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr., Christopher P. Smith

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID Legal Compass | Edition 17
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 16
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, Christopher P. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Summer 2020
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2020|Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jeffrey A. Collier, Jacob T. Cremer, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Ronald L. Weaver

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 15
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, Christopher P. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 14
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|June 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, Christopher P. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 13
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|June 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, Christopher P. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 12
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|June 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, Christopher P. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 11
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|June 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 10
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 9
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Edition 8
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | COVID-19 Updates | Edition 7
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | COVID-19 Updates | Edition 6
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | COVID-19 Updates | Edition 5
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Timely and Significant COVID-19 Updates | Edition 4
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Timely and Significant COVID-19 Updates | Edition 3
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Timely and Significant COVID-19 Updates | Edition 2
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2020|S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Jessica M. Icerman, Marco T. Paredes, Jr., Kevin Reali, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Publications: $2 Trillion CARES Act - What You Need To Know
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |April 2020|Marco T. Paredes, Jr.

COVID News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: COVID-19 Legal Compass | Timely and Significant COVID-19 Updates
Stearns Weaver MIller News Update|March 2020|Marco T. Paredes, Jr., S. Elise Batsel, Reggie L. Bouthillier, Peter Desiderio, Jessica M. Icerman, Kevin Reali, David M. Smith, F. Joseph Ullo, Jr.

In the Media: Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 2.27.20
February 2020

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