In a move to expand its public policy presence into Arizona, Polsinelli Shughart announced that Amanda Reeve, voted Arizona’s 2012 Legislator of the Year, and Adam Hawkins, a high profile policy advisor, have teamed together to bring these capabilities for clients to the firm’s Phoenix office.

Reeve, designated Representative of the Year 2012 by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Hero of Cities and Towns by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, among many other distinctions, is known for her ability to craft bipartisan support and successfully advance numerous bills of significant importance to Arizona.

“Working with Polsinelli’s clients to help businesses develop public policy that strengthens our state, creates jobs, and ensures the quality of life that Arizonans deserve, is an exciting new opportunity for me. It allows me to continue developing great policy for Arizona while working in the private sector,” said Reeve.

Hawkins, a fifth-generation Arizonan and former Hill staffer, recently worked with the third-largest mining company in the world with operations in 50 countries on five continents to advance their public policy needs. While on staff at Rio Tinto, he helped lay the public policy groundwork for the largest underground copper project in the world, a $61.4 billion endeavor currently underway in Superior.

Together, the two have an extensive network of contacts including members, officials, and staff of municipalities, counties, states and federal governments and agencies. They are combining forces to positively impact public policy issues of significance to Arizona and the nation.

“Even though we come from different backgrounds, Amanda and I are firm believers in restoring order to a complicated world. In a political and regulatory climate that is constantly changing, being in business these days can be down-right daunting. We want the business community to know that we’ve got their backs when it comes to public policy,” said Hawkins.

The addition of Reeve and Hawkins to Polsinelli’s public policy team in Arizona positions the firm to advise and serve as a voice for clients on all issues of importance.

“People like Amanda and Adam are what differentiate our firm,” said Phoenix Managing Partner Ed Novak. “Amanda has proven that she is an effective bipartisan leader able to find new solutions to old problems. Adam’s background is in understanding the business of our clients and navigating the complex landscape particular to each matter. With their addition, we will be able to support our business clients in public policy in a way that overcomes obstacles and find solutions to the complexities that many businesses encounter. We welcome the challenge and look forward to helping our clients achieve their goals.”

Reeve earned her B.A. in Communication from California State University Sacramento and will receive her M.S. in Environmental Technology Management from Arizona State University in 2013. She served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2010 to 2012, was Chair of the Environment Committee, and was a member of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, Higher Education Innovation & Reform Committee, Military Affairs & Public Safety Committee, and Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

Hawkins earned his B.I.S. degree, cum laude, from Arizona State University and received his M.B.A. degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Prior to Rio Tinto, Hawkins worked in several sectors of public policy and business administration including the alcoholic beverage industry and international trade and development.