Bio
LaToya Sheals is a Senior Government Relations Consultant in Becker’s Government Law and Lobbying Practice. Ms. Sheals has extensive experience in investigating and analyzing legislation and developing public policy in an array of issues such as Healthcare, Education, Transportation, Economic Development, Taxes and Judicial matters within the State of Florida, Michigan, and Washington, D.C.
At Becker, she has helped secure $45 million for Florida’s Private Historically Black Colleges and Universities, over $10 million for the Foundation of Sickle Cell Disease Research, and millions of dollars for various municipalities and organizations throughout the Florida.
In 2023, Ms. Sheals was honored with the News Service of Florida/City & State Above and Beyond Award and was also recognized in the Fall edition of Influence Magazine. Additionally, the achievements of Ms. Sheals were acknowledged by her law school, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, which featured her in The Benchmark, their alumni magazine.
Prior to joining Becker, Ms. Sheals was a Legislative Aide to Florida Senator Victor Torres, who represented the 15th District prior to redistricting, he now represents the 25th District, encompassing Osceola County and Southern Orange County. She was also the Chief of Staff for Former State Senator Daphne Campbell, who represented the 38th District of Miami-Dade County where she helped secure $3 million in local funding for the 2018-2019 Legislative Session. In both positions, Ms. Sheals was responsible for assisting and assembling information to draft legislation, press releases, speeches, special reports, and legislative updates. She advised both members on policy related decisions as well as attended meetings, performed presentations, and maintained the annual budget for operations of offices, outreach, and legislative services.
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY SERVICE
- Ms. Sheals serves on the board of the Florida Professional Lobbyists Association (FAPL), an organization she has been involved in since 2022. Through FAPL, Ms. Sheals has established excellent rapports with other lobbyists throughout the state. Additionally, she has engaged with various candidates through FAPL’s Candidate Interviewing process.
- She is also a member of the Urban League Young Professional Network, National Black Professional Lobbyists Association, Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association.