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Bellamy, Genn Form Lobbying Firm Ahead of General Assembly Session

By: Steve Lash Daily Record Legal Affairs Writer ” September 18, 2017

Two longtime Annapolis lobbyists joined forces this month in advance of the 2018 General Assembly session. Lorenzo M. Bellamy and Gil Genn have formed Bellamy Genn Group LLC, which opened for business Friday in Annapolis.

Bellamy, most recently director of government relations at Alexander & Cleaver P.A., said he left the Annapolis lobbying firm after 11 years because he had “reached my peak” there. Genn, who represented a Montgomery County district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1987 to 1999, said he recently closed his solo lobbying firm – Capitol Hill Strategic Advocates – after 18 years because of his respect for
Bellamy and a belief that with him “one plus one will equal three plus.”

Bellamy Genn will focus on government relations before state and federal agencies, the Maryland General Assembly and Congress, Bellamy said Monday. Bellamy Genn does not plan to operate as a law practice, though they are Maryland lawyers, Bellamy added.

The firm begins operations with signed clients, including the American College of Cardiology’s Maryland chapter and Veru Healthcare, a therapeutics company, Bellamy said.

Bellamy, who is black, will serve as majority owner, thus enabling the firm to qualify as minority-owned for government contracting purposes, he said. “That is not the only reason, but that is a benefit,” he added. Bellamy, who was an at-will employee at Alexander & Cleaver, said he has notified his former clients at the firm that he left but made no solicitation for their continued business. The Daily Record is an Alexander & Cleaver client.

Bellamy, 54, voiced gratitude for the experience he gained at Alexander & Cleaver but said leading a lobbying firm will give him the chance “to pursue my dreams.” He added that he hopes to represent not only local and national companies but foreign businesses seeking to operate in the United States.
James A. Cleaver, president of Alexander & Cleaver, did not return a telephone message Monday seeking comment on Bellamy’s departure.

Genn, 65, said he has no plans to retire. “This is a great new chapter,” he added. “I’m wonderfully excited for the future.” Bellamy and Genn said they are looking to hire additional lobbyists, the number of whom would depend on their client base. Bellamy added they plan to hire an administrative aide for the coming legislative session. Said Gill: “We relish the challenge.”

Bellamy and Genn said they have signed a lease for office space at 220 Prince George St. in Annapolis and can take occupancy Oct. 1. However, they said they expect to wait a few weeks until their office is ready.
The two men have not set a date for a grand-opening party for their firm but said they expect to hold one before

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