Governmental Relations Team
James D. Featherstonhaugh
PartnerCollege: Hobart College, B.A., 1966
Law School: Albany Law School of Union University, J.D., 1969
Membership: Albany County and New York State Bar Associations, New York State Magistrates Association, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, American Association for Justice
Practice Areas: Governmental Relations, Administrative Law, Litigation
Admissions: 1969, New York and U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern Districts of New York, U.S. Supreme Court
Biography: Jim is a native of Schenectady, New York and holds a B.A. degree from Hobart College and a J.D. degree from Albany Law School of Union University. As a litigator, Jim has won million dollar verdicts and settlements for clients and has had the privilege of representing many of the Capital District’s premiere corporations in litigation. He has also represented numerous clients in litigation against the State and City of New York arising out of regulatory and administrative decision making once again winning million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients. Jim has also been active for over 40 years in providing governmental relations services to clients across the United States. In 1982 Jim took a leave of absence from his law firm to coordinate the upstate New York portion of Mario Cuomo’s successful primary campaign against Mayor Ed Koch and successful general election campaign against Lew Lehrman. Jim has acted as a close advisor and attorney for Senate Majority leaders Warren Anderson and Joseph Bruno and been a friend to many speakers of the Assembly. Jim is admitted to practice in all New York State Courts as well as the United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern Districts, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Jim has lectured for the New York State Bar Association and is a member of the American Association for Justice, the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, the New York State Bar Association, and is past president and director of SCG Legal. Jim was the founding president of the New York Gaming Association and is the corporate secretary and chief legal officer of Saratoga Casino Hotel.
You can contact Jim by email to jdf@fcmlaw.org or by telephone at (518) 436-0786 Ext. 432.
Jonathan S. McCardle
PartnerCollege: Siena College, B.S., 2007
Law School: Albany Law School of Union University, J.D., 2013
Practice Areas: Administrative Law, Civil Litigation, General Business Law, Health Care Law, Governmental Relations
Admissions: New York State, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Biography:
Jonathan McCardle is a seasoned and battle tested advocate. He is a litigator and registered lobbyist and has been a partner in the firm since 2019. He co-chairs the firm’s Procurement and Civil Litigation Practice Groups and brings extensive expertise in complex litigation, administrative law, and government relations.
As an attorney, Jonathan is a skilled advocate in both trial and appellate courts. He regularly appears before the Federal District Courts of New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and various tribunals across the state. Most notably, he successfully defended the largest procurement contract in New York State history against some of the largest law firms in the country.
In his role as a registered lobbyist, Jonathan represents private corporations and clients in sectors including health care, racing and gaming, and financial services. He has cultivated strong, long-standing relationships within both the legislative and executive branches of New York State government.
Jonathan has been consistently recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine for his expertise in administrative law. He was also named to City & State Magazine's Albany "40 Under 40" list and featured by the Albany Times Union as part of the next emerging class of young lobbyists.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from Siena College and a Juris Doctor from Albany Law School at Union University. Jonathan is co-author, of the New York chapter of Lobbying, PACs and Campaign Finance.
Beyond his professional work, Jonathan is deeply committed to charitable causes. He is a founding board member and current Vice President of the New York Chapter of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members.
You can contact Jonathan by email to jsm@fcmlaw.org or by telephone at (518) 436-0786 Ext. 444.
David F. Fleming, Jr.
Chief Operating OfficerDavid was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the firm in January 2017. For more than thirty years he has provided association management and legislative representation services for a variety of clients and in relation to many of the most pressing issues in Albany. He has a diverse background in representing some of New York’s largest industries to some of the smallest not-for-profits and advocacy organizations. He also supports corporations and associations in crisis management strategy and navigates our clients through all aspects of agency filings, applications, and procurement strategy.
David is the author of a number of published articles and white papers. He is frequently asked to speak at state and international conferences on legislative advocacy and governmental cooperation. He has also served as a guest on a number of press and industry podcasts and is frequently interviewed in old and new media on state policy developments.
He was named by City & State Magazine as a"Who's Who in Government Relations", citing him as a notable figure influencing policy and spending in New York.
He is widely recognized as a state expert in cemetery regulation and management, having represented cemetery organizations, including many of New York’s largest cemeteries, since 1995. During his more than thirty years of advocating cemetery interests, David has negotiated some of the most significant changes in cemetery and cremation policy in New York which are now utilized as national models for cemetery regulation. During the pandemic of 2020, he was an emergency management resource to state and national organizations in death care planning and response while also managing cemetery and crematory operational responses. He is frequently tasked by state representatives, local governments, religious organizations, and trade groups, to handle complex and high-profile death care issues. His death care work has involved approval of hundreds of millions of dollars in various cemetery projects and related development. He has also supported local governments by supervising the restoration of the largest cemetery corporation abandonment in New York history.
Prior to his time at FM, David served as an administrative and policy assistant for social welfare programs under the Director of Clinical Affairs for the Governor of Massachusetts. Before joining the Governor of Massachusetts, David was a full-time political consultant, working on all aspects of electoral politics. He began his legislative career as a district aide and policy advisor.
In addition to his current management and legislative representation at FM, David has been a Judicial Delegate for over twenty-five years as well as the longest tenured Supervisor of the Town of Nassau, New York, since its founding in 1806. He is also a State Marriage Officer and has also led and served on not-for-profit boards representing interests as diverse as municipal finance, cemetery scholarship and community support programs, to agricultural and forest conservation.
David is a native of Averill Park, New York and holds a B.A. degree from Gordon College.
You can contact David by email to dff@fcmlaw.org or by telephone at (518) 436-0786 Ext. 437.
Ryan J. Banagan
Governmental RelationsRyan assists in the representation of clients on a broad array of policy matters such as financial services, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, credit repair, consumer products, racing and gaming and not-for profits.
Having worked on successful legislative and regulatory initiatives along with his early experience with State Assembly races across New York, Ryan provides our clients with a unique perspective required to implement and execute successful strategies that span both the policy and political spectrums in New York’s demanding environment. He also specializes in strategic research and monitoring of all forms of policy initiatives and government action. Ryan prepares a daily morning newsletter that summarizes the top stories in New York State and federally that is distributed exclusively to our clients and staff.
In addition to his work in governmental relations, Ryan is the editor and head writer for The Week That Was, a weekly newsletter on legislative, political, and other governmental activity that is distributed to clients and other interested parties.
Prior to joining FM, Ryan worked for the New York State Assembly Majority in the Communications and Information Services Department.
Ryan is a native of Delmar, New York and holds a B.A. in Political Science from Union College, as well as a G.C.J. from Langara College in Vancouver, B.C.
You can contact Ryan by email to rjb@fcmlaw.org or by telephone at (518) 436-0786 Ext. 441.
Brendan J. Boyle
Governmental RelationsBrendan has a demonstrated history of professional experience with New York State agency relations, legislation, public policy, and political campaigns. Brendan started at the New York State Senate Finance Committee in 2011, there he managed several technology policy initiatives, procurement reform issues, state liquor law modifications, negotiated state agency budgets, and administered legislative infrastructure, municipal, and technology grant programs.
As the Finance Committees lead on general government affairs, Brendan developed budget, political, and revenue funding recommendations and worked with senators to advocate their policy interests with the Executive Chamber and the New York State Assembly. Additionally, he successfully collaborated with advocacy groups, state agencies/authorities, municipalities, and constituents on their public policy concerns and priorities.
In addition to his work in legislation and governmental relations, Brendan is a volunteer Firefighter with the Elsmere Fire Company within the Town of Bethlehem NY.
Brendan is a native of East Islip, New York. He holds a BA in Political Science from Roger Williams University, and an M.P.A. from Norwich University.
You can contact Brendan by email to bjb@fcmlaw.org or by telephone at (518) 436-0786 Ext. 443.
Justin A. Hogan
Governmental RelationsJustin joined FM in 2016 with extensive experience in the New York State Legislature, broader state government and private sector advocacy. Justin has served as the Director of Business Development for a Government Relations and Alliance Development firm. In this role Justin excelled at building critical relationships with key leaders and helped clients navigate the legislative and political environment. As part of the FM governmental relations team, Justin represents clients in a range of policy and regulatory matters primarily focusing on transportation, infrastructure, energy and environment, technology and economic development. From 2007-2013 Justin was the Director of Development for the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany. As the Director of Development, Justin served as the liaison to the Rockefeller College Advisory Board and worked closely with university administration and state elected officials, as well as key business and community leaders to advance the mission of the university and secure critical funding. During the 2006 election cycle, Justin served as the Political Director for a New York State Attorney General candidate. As Political Director, Justin developed a county-by-county grassroots network to motivate voters, recruited a team of volunteers statewide, and mobilized several coalitions to expand the base of support. Earlier in his career he worked in the New York State Senate as a Legislative Aide and Coordinator in the Office of Member Services. As Legislative Aide, Justin researched and tracked legislation, prepared briefings and represented the Senator at legislative and community events. As Coordinator he developed public policy strategy for members of the Majority Conference and coordinated public policy events in numerous senate districts. In addition, Justin has worked for several successful state and federal campaigns. Justin holds of Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University at Albany.
You can contact Justin by email to jah@fcmlaw.org or by telephone at (518) 436-0786 Ext. 440.
Mark C. Kriss
Of CounselCollege: BA Magna Cum Laude from State University New York at Binghamton (1975)
Law School: JD Albany Law School (1978) Albany, New York
Mark Kriss, a New York City native, began working part time in the New York State Senate while attending Law School in Albany, New York. Upon leaving government for the private sector in 1979, Mark commenced helping various businesses, including professional practice firms, navigate the New York State Legislature, the Executive and various state agencies. Mark has played a significant role in shaping hundreds of New York State laws and regulations. He is most grateful for having been afforded the opportunity to help guide public policy in New York.
He also has a wealth of experience representing design professional practice firms with corporate restructuring and securing approvals/consents from the New York State Education Department.
Additionally, Mark continues a wide-ranging practice in other select areas of the civil law, including wills and estates, personal injury, medical malpractice, as well as a significant number of high-profile cases on behalf of various professional and commercial interests. He has extensive litigation experience on behalf of the professional engineering community, property and casualty insurers, life insurers, and collateral loan brokers, including numerous cases arising under the United States and New York State constitutions.
You can contact Mark by email to MCK@fcmlaw.org by telephone at (518) 436-0786 Ext. 446.
Stephen D. Morgan
Governmental RelationsSteve has provided FM clients with governmental relations, marketing and consulting services in the infrastructure, transportation and economic development industries for the past 24 years. Prior to joining FM in 2000, Steve was vice president for business development and government relations at URS Corporation, an international consulting engineering firm headquartered in New York City. Previously, he had a distinguished career in state government. Steve spent 18 years with the New York State Thruway Authority, serving as Executive Director in 1995-96. He was responsible for the management and operation of a 641-mile toll road and a 524-mile canal system. He also held positions of Director of Internal Audit, Director of Government Relations, and Deputy Director of Operations. Before joining the Thruway Authority, Steve worked over eight years for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. In 2005, Steve was the treasurer and day-to-day manager of the successful $3.96 Billion Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond Act.
Steve is a native of Cortland, New York and holds a B.A in Political Science from King's College.
You can contact Steve by email to sdm@fcmlaw.org or by telephone at (518) 436-0786 Ext. 439.
Jeffrey A. Malone
AssociateCollege: University at Albany, B.A., 2017
Law School: Albany Law School of Union University, J.D., 2020
Practice Areas: Administrative Law, Civil Litigation, General Business Law, Criminal Law
Admissions: New York State, Third Department
Jeff joined Featherstonhaugh & McCardle, LLP as an Associate in 2023. His areas of practice include commercial litigation, real estate transactions, trust and estate administration, administrative appeals, and criminal defense. He has represented clients through complex litigation including mediations, arbitrations, hearings, and trials. Jeff’s practice also includes assisting retail establishments in obtaining federal and state compliance in brewery and liquor licensing. Prior to joining the office, Jeff worked as an Assistant Public Defender in Albany County and has prior experience working in state and local government with the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the City of Albany. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Albany in 2017 and received his Juris Doctor from the Albany Law School in 2020. Jeff is a native of Delmar, New York and a member of the New York State Bar Association.