Former NYS Commissioner of Labor and Former NYS Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Joins Forces with Gotham Government Relations
Garden City, NY; December 14, 2015 – Brad Gerstman, David Schwartz, Bob Malito and Diane Cahill, partners at Gotham Government Relations & Communications, announced today that former Assemblyman and Labor Commissioner, Peter Rivera will join the firm as a partner.
Peter Rivera was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and represented District 76 in the New York State Assembly, which comprises West Farms, Van Nest, Castle Hill and Parkchester. He also served as New York State Commissioner of Labor.
“I was attracted to Gotham’s mission to change the political landscape and the commitment of Brad, David, Bob, Diane and the rest of the team to always fight as hard as they can for the client and how they have been able to move mountains in achieving their goals”, Rivera said. “I believe that I will serve as a teacher and mentor to all the members of the firm and that my brand of advocacy will complement the current success of the firm.”
Rivera began his career as a patrolman and detective with the NYPD in the South Bronx. He later became an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration. After graduating from St. Johns Law School, he worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Homicide Bureau of the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.
First elected to the Assembly in 1992, Rivera was the Chairman of the New York Assembly’s Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task force, Assembly Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and went on to become the Speaker Pro Tem.
“I have always admired the leadership and the outstanding public service of Peter Rivera,” Founding Partner Brad Gerstman said. “We look forward to the value Peter will bring to every single client of our firm and the respect he commands in Albany, New York City and beyond” said Gerstman.
“We have never have been a firm that goes out and hires former elected officials, we only hire the best advocates, which is precisely why we have chosen to make Peter a partner in our organization” said Founding Partner David Schwartz. “I am equally as impressed with his accomplishments in the private practice of law and his work as a prosecutor as I am with his work in the Legislature and Executive branch of government” said Schwartz.
“I have known Peter Rivera for over 30 years and Peter represents the very best human qualities that anyone can have, including class, leadership, respect, intelligence, integrity and experience” said Partner Bob Malito. “
“Peter brings a whole new level of mentorship to our firm and I look forward to learning from Peter and watching him serve as a teacher to all of the members of our staff” said Partner Diane Cahill.
One of New York’s most vibrant and fastest-growing government relations firms, Gotham Government Relations & Communications, provides lobbying, advocacy, public relations, social media, strategic planning and consulting services to its clients. Gotham Government Relations has offices in Long Island, New York City, Albany and Washington, DC.
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