Raleigh lobbyists John Hardin and Will Morgan left the Manning Fulton law firm to co-found their own enterprise, The Raleigh Group, to provide “comprehensive lobbying, consulting, government contracting and economic development services.
Hardin, who had worked at Manning Fulton since 2012, is the new firm’s president. Morgan is managing partner.
Also joining The Raleigh Group from Manning Fulton are Sue Ann Swift, as vice president of governmental affairs, and Mary Selvidge, chief of staff.
Hardin ranks among the state’s leading lobbyists, with more than 50 clients including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers Association and Bayer, according to the new firm’s website. He started in public affairs as an aide to former State Treasurer Richard Moore. He has a bachelor’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill and a Campbell University law degree.
Morgan “has a particular focus on the appropriations process, having helped numerous clients secure critical state funding, and provides guidance on administrative law matters such as permitting and rulemaking,” according to the firm’s website. He has a bachelor’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill and a Wake Forest University law degree.
The new firm continues a trend in which many top Raleigh lobbyists have left law firms to start their own businesses. The North State Journal’s 10 top lobbyists, rated last year in a survey completed by 56 state lawmakers, included only two affiliated with law firms: Hardin and Dana Simpson, who works for Raleigh-based Smith Anderson.
