Emily Whalen

Emily Whalen focuses her practice primarily on government affairs and lobbying, including assisting clients with statutory interpretation and regulatory compliance. In addition, she assists a partner with several municipal clients. Her work includes some crossover with government affairs (monitoring legislation and statutory and regulatory interpretation and compliance) as well as drafting local laws and ordinances. Emily's experience includes working in New York State government at the agency level, in the non-profit sector and in private practice in matrimonial law and before that, collections and foreclosures. Prior to joining Wilson Elser, Emily served as an associate counsel to the New York State Senate, where she was responsible for review, analysis and redrafting of legislation referred to the Senate Standing Committees on Insurance and Banks; written analyses and briefing documents for senators; working with the Governor's Office and New York State Assembly staff to negotiate legislation; preparing policy option papers; serving as liaison between senators and interest groups and lobbyists on legislation and issues related to insurance and banking; and working with committee chairs, senators and state agencies to respond to constituent concerns. In addition, Emily has worked on corporate formation for clients, as well as some government investigation matters. She also spent a good deal of time working on political contribution compliance for clients, including hospitals, not-for-profits, municipalities and corporations as well as on issues ranging from education to insurance, and health care to professional practice. In the Albany office, Emily has become the point person for the New York State Regional Economic Development Councils, an initiative of Governor Cuomo of interest to many of the firm’s clients. In this capacity, she works with other attorneys and partners outside the Government Affairs practice and has formed relationships with clients in other practices.