Veteran government affairs attorney and lobbyist Nicole Osborne has joined Waller’s Government Relations practice.
Based in Waller’s recently opened Chattanooga office, Osborne has more than a decade of experience representing client interests before elected officials in the Tennessee General Assembly, the United States Congress and government officials in local, state and federal agencies.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Nicole to the Waller team,” says Waller partner James Weaver, who leads the firm’s government relations practice. “Nicole has earned a tremendous reputation as an effective legislative strategist and lobbyist in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, the State Capitol and across Tennessee and the Southeast.
“Our clients will benefit greatly from her experience and insights into working with legislators and policymakers.”
Representing corporate clients, industry groups, professional associations and not-for-profit organizations, Osborne’s experience includes drafting and negotiating legislation, assisting with regulatory and rulemaking compliance strategy and traditional lobbying to the state legislature, the state executive branch, congressional representatives, state and federal agencies, city councils, county officials and community leaders.
Additionally, she monitors legislative developments and educates clients on legislative processes, procedures and progress. She also manages political action committees and fundraising programs for clients and provides guidance on grassroots advocacy efforts and the development of coalitions.
Prior to joining Waller, Osborne led government relations, public policy and economic development initiatives for Chattanooga-based law firm Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel. Earlier in her career, she gained government and regulatory affairs experience with the Tennessee American Water Company and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.
While earning her Juris Doctor from Regent University Law School, Osborne served as a federal government affairs summer associate for the National Rifle Association and a government relations intern for a leading bipartisan government relations firm in Washington, D.C.
Before attending law school, Osborne served as a congressional intern on Capitol Hill for U.S. Senators George Allen (R-Virginia) and John Warner (R- Virginia). Osborne earned undergraduate degrees in mass communications and political science from Emory & Henry College.
Active in civic and community organizations in Chattanooga and Hamilton County, Osborne currently serves as president of the Junior League of Chattanooga. She is a graduate of the Women Mentoring Women program at the Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute.
Additionally, Osborne is a member of the board of directors of the Cherokee Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. Osborne is also a member of the Chattanooga Rotary Club and an appointed member of Hamilton County Read 20, a public-private partnership that promotes the importance of reading with children.
Source: Waller