Since her days at Union College in Schenectady, Catherine Hedgeman said she knew she wanted to be a lobbyist.
The 31-year-old attorney this month landed at the state's biggest lobbying firm – Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker LLP. She said it's a sign of the increasing opportunities for young professionals in the Capital Region.
“If you want to be a lobbyist in Albany, then this is the place to be,” said Hedgeman, known familiarly as Kate. The firm's offices are located high up in the First Albany building at 677 Broadway.
She's working in the government affairs practice, advising clients on how not to run afoul of state contract bidding requirements.
The Albany Law School alumna was last with the Albany office of law firm Hiscock & Barclay LLP.
Hedgeman has also been a voice for the region's young professionals.
Two years ago, she and some friends formed the GenNEXT Council, an Albany-Colonie Re gional Chamber of Commerce arm designed to organize networking opportunities to lure and keep the area's young business stars.
New York City-based Wilson Elser was the state's top lobbying firm last year, with almost $7 million in business, according to the New York Temporary State Commission on Lobbying. Many in the Albany office come straight from staff jobs in the Legislature, Hedgeman said.
Her new firm valued Hedgeman's background in the local business community.
“Kate's varied background, participation in civic and business organizations, and her experience with the Capital Region's young business professionals through GenNEXT, provide her with experience and poise that will benefit all of our government affairs clients,” Kenneth L. Shapiro, regional partner, said in a statement.
John Vero, an attorney with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP in Albany, co-founded GenNEXT with Hedgeman and sev eral other young professionals. Membership in the group has grown to almost 300. And job opportunities are growing as well, Vero said.
“It's hard for the public to understand the impact of what's going on here, particularly on the technology side,” he said. “There are many, many more opportunities than I've previously seen.”