FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Sept. 16, 2016 – Becker & Poliakoff today announced its expansion of its Government Law and Lobbying Practice Group with the addition of Nicholas G. Matthews to its Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., headquarters. In Broward County, the firm serves more than 50 active clients including the developers of the Broward Convention Center Hotel, the contractors for the new runway, Terminal 4, the Broward County Courthouse, and the Broward Addiction Recovery Center
Matthews, a former lobbyist for Broward County who also has served as chief of staff to Florida Sen. Eleanor Sobel, will represent clients before Broward County, cities, and the Florida Legislature.
“We are thrilled that a distinguished professional of Nick’s caliber has joined our powerhouse lobbying team,” said Bernie Friedman, chair of the firm’s Government Law and Lobbying Practice Group. “He has a keen understanding of the unique dynamics of Broward County business and politics and will bring significant value to our firm and our clients, and his commitment to serving our community will help make it a better place for all of us to raise our families.”
Previously, Matthews served as senior vice president of Unconventional Strategies Government Relations, where he led the boutique government relations firm’s state and local lobbying efforts. Before that, he helped to manage Broward County’s advocacy as a part of its Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Professional Standards. At the county, Matthews worked with the mayor, vice mayor, commissioners, county administration, department directors, constitutional officers, city managers and city commissioners. Matthews also coordinated joint advocacy efforts with the Broward Workshop, Broward Alliance, Ft. Lauderdale Chamber, Broward Chapter of the Restaurant and Lodging Association, Broward Days, and the Port Everglades Association.
Some of the projects Matthews helped coordinate included the county’s $45 million beach nourishment project, seaport and airport state grants, large infrastructure projects for wastewater and water services, and economic development. Matthews also lobbied for important programs like child protection teams, homelessness grants, affordable housing, and funding for environmental clean-up programs.
His deep community involvement includes currently serving on the board of directors of Broward Days and volunteering with the Governmental Relations Committee of the YMCA of South Florida. He is the immediate past president of the Florida Association for Intergovernmental Relations and has been active with various organizations including the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, the National Association of County Intergovernmental Relations officials and the National Association of Counties. Matthews received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida State University.
About Becker & Poliakoff
Becker & Poliakoff is a diverse commercial law firm with more than 130 attorneys, lobbyists and other professionals in 17 domestic and international offices. Celebrating its fortieth (40th) year of serving clients, the firm has seven primary areas of practice: Real Estate, Construction Law & Litigation, Community Association, Customs & International Trade, Business Litigation, Corporate & Securities, and Government Law & Lobbying. For more about the firm, visit: www.beckerlawyers.com to access forums on the latest ideas and opinions on legal matters hosted by Becker & Poliakoff attorneys.