Emily Whalen

Emily Whalen has earned a reputation for highly effective lobbying and wise counsel through her work with corporations, not-for-profit organizations, health systems, and associations at Brown & Weinraub. One peer nominator described her as "a trusted voice in Albany" who brings not only expertise in health care and education policy but "a degree of calm that is necessary in this work" — a quality that means her viewpoints are well received "even by groups and legislators opposed to the initiatives she is advocating for."

Whalen's grounding in Albany runs deep. She served as associate counsel in the New York State Senate Majority Counsel's office, where she advised the Senate Majority Leader and members of the Majority Conference and negotiated legislative and budget priorities with the Assembly and the Governor's Office. Before joining Brown & Weinraub, she worked at two other government relations firms and brings additional experience from the nonprofit sector and private legal practice — giving her, as one colleague put it, a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between the Legislature, executive branch agencies, and politics and policy.

That range has shown up in some of Albany's most technical work: for several years, Whalen helped clients navigate the launch of the state's Office of Cannabis Management, the new regulations that came with it, and the licensing application process as adult-use cannabis rolled out in New York. She has also spent nine years on the board of the Empire Justice Center, the last three as Board Chair — a tenure the organization will recognize later this year at its Celebration of Leadership.