Our Team
James E. Hough has represented clients before the Wisconsin Legislature and administrative agencies for more than 30 years. In addition to lobbying activities on behalf of state and national clients, he has served as executive and legislative director for several statewide associations. Jim has extensive experience with the lawmaking process. He previously worked for the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Wisconsin Legislative Council and in private law practice. He also served as executive director for the State Bar of Wisconsin and the State Judicial Council. Jim holds degrees in law, government and international relations.
Robert I. Fassbender has more than 25 years of experience in government relations, regulatory affairs and lobbying. He previously was a partner and headed up the government relations practice in the Madison office of the Godfrey & Kahn law firm. Bob also served as Director of Environmental Policy with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. Prior to returning to Wisconsin, he was in-house counsel in California for both McDonnell Douglas Corporation and the U.S. Air Force. Bob has degrees in law and civil engineering. His areas of expertise include energy, environment and transportation issues.
Patrick J. Osborne has extensive experience in government and regulatory affairs, including four years in the office of Governor Tommy G. Thompson, where he served as policy director, executive assistant, interim chief of staff and legislative liaison to the Wisconsin State Assembly. Pat was also Executive Assistant for the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations (now, the Department of Workforce Development). Pat has served on numerous boards and associations including serving for more than a decade as a board member for the Great Lakes Protection Fund.
Amy L. Boyer has been part of our legislative and regulatory team for over 15 years and serves as director of legislative affairs for several association clients. She is a registered lobbyist and represents clients before the state Legislature and administrative agencies. Amy's areas of expertise include transportation, economic development and mortgage banking issues. Amy is also active in a number of legislative related organizations and coalitions.
Andrew Engel has over 15 years of experience in Wisconsin politics, both inside and outside of the Capitol. He started his career with Senator Kim Plache and from there went to the Senate Office of Budget and Policy, later becoming the Chief of Staff to then Majority Leader Judy Robson. Andy also spent extensive time campaigning, including stints running the State Senate Democratic Committee and as the political director for other statewide efforts. Combining his past experience with his time as a lobbyist, Andy has an insider’s knowledge of how the budget and legislative process works, with a strong understanding of how grassroots and messaging play into that process.
Andrew Cook began his government relations career over 13 years ago with Wisconsin Representative Rob Kreibich (1998-00). After law school, Andy worked as in-house legal counsel and lobbyist with the Building Industry Association of Washington (2003-05; 06-08). He was also staff attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation where he litigated land use and environmental cases. In addition to his legislative and litigation background, Andy has extensive environmental, energy, land use and open government policy experience. Andy currently serves as president of the Madison Lawyers Chapter, Federalist Society.
Emily Kelchen is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Among other activities and awards, Emily was a Law-In-Action Merit Scholar, member of the Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society, and President of the Federalist Society. She interned with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Federal District Court of the Eastern District of Missouri, the Honorable Judge E. Richard Webber, and for President Pro Tem Mike Gibbons, Missouri State Senate. Emily received her B.S. in Political Science from Truman State University, Kirksville, MO, where she graduated magna cum laude with departmental honors, and served as the student representative on the Board of Governors.
Saralee Fassbender works with the firm's lobbyists drawing on her legal and publishing back
ground to provide assistance in legislative and background research, including bill tracking and legislative reports. Before joining the firm, Saralee worked for the State Bar of Wisconsin in the publications department. Prior to moving to Wisconsin in 1989, Saralee practiced law for insurance defense firms in Sacramento and Long Beach, California. She has degrees in law and business administration.
Jennifer Bodensteiner has been the firm's business manager since January 2005. She came to the Hamilton Consulting with more than 10 years of business office experience. Jennifer is responsible for all the day to day office operations.