‘Capitol Inside’ Recognizes Denise Rose and Jackson Walker’s Legislative Team in the 2021 “Texas Lobby Power Rankings”

February 25, 2021 | Spotlight



Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the legislative team’s inclusion in the 2021 “Texas Lobby Power Rankings” from Capitol Inside, a recognized source for news and information on Texas politics and government. In addition, Austin partner Denise Rose was elevated to the list of “Hired Guns,” ranking No. 56 among the top lobbyists in the state.

Austin Managing Partner James Matthew Dow said, “At Jackson Walker, we know that effective state representation is about building relationships and trust. Whether our clients are dealing with environmental and energy policy or seeking counsel related to healthcare, public utilities, or agriculture, they know they can rely on our legislative team’s experience and connections to lobby on their behalf.”

“Whether our clients are dealing with environmental and energy policy or seeking counsel related to healthcare, public utilities, or agriculture, they know they can rely on our legislative team’s experience and connections to lobby on their behalf.”

“We couldn’t be more proud to see our team rank among the top law firms for our lobby work,” said Denise, who chairs the Government Relations & Public Policy practice at Jackson Walker. “Over the past year, the legislative team has continued to evolve with the retirement of Ed Small and the addition of Kate Goodrich.”

In February 2020, Kate Goodrich joined the Austin office’s Government Relations & Public Policy practice to expand the legislative team’s work in the areas of transportation, oil and gas, economic development, and healthcare. She started her career as a federally registered lobbyist in Washington, D.C., and grew to become a senior advisor to legislators at the Texas Capitol. She has worked directly with U.S. Senate and House of Representatives staff, the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee.

Prior to retiring in January 2020, Edward C. Small served as counsel to companies, associations and landowners with legislative, regulatory and litigation issues. For more than 40 years, Ed represented his clients at the courthouse, legislature and state agencies and was the go-to lawyer in Texas for issues in the agriculture industry.

Founded in 2003, Capitol Inside is an online, non-partisan source of news and analysis nationally recognized for its reporting. Capitol Inside has released its Lobby Power Rankings in conjunction with every regular legislative session since 2005. For information about this year’s “Texas Lobby Power Rankings,” view the Capitol Inside article “Soldier of Covid War Surges into First as Austin Lobby Navigates New World.”

Meet Denise

Having worked in and around the Texas Capitol for nearly two decades, Denise Rose provides effective strategic counsel to clients on a wide variety of issues, including but not limited to Medicaid and hospital finance, special utility districts, occupational licensing, healthcare quality, and agency rulemaking processes and requests for proposals. In 2019, Denise was recognized as a “Rising Star” in the Lobby Power Rankings from Capitol Inside. In addition to her practice, Denise volunteers her time with the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, Texans Care for Children, the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas, Dress for Success Austin, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, and GENAustin. She was also selected to participate in the Leadership Texas Class of 2020.

Meet Our Team

Founded more than 130 years ago, Jackson Walker has played a vital role in the growth and development of Texas business. Since the 1900s, the Firm has been engaged in Texas politics, with several partners and lobbyists regularly involved in legislative initiatives. To explore the Firm’s longstanding experience practicing before regulatory agencies and the Texas Legislature, visit the Government Relations & Public Policy practice page.