CORAL GABLES, FL — (Marketwire) — 02/18/13 — Becker & Poliakoff, a multi-practice business law firm with 18 domestic and international offices, has acquired Miami-based governmental affairs and business development firm Fuentes & Rodriguez Consulting Group, LLC (FRCG), which represents private and public clients at the local, state and federal level.
FRCG–s client list includes the cities of Homestead, Sweetwater, Cutler Bay, Medley and Miami Lakes, as well as the VE Restaurant Group, AMEC Engineering, All Aboard Florida and Ygrene Energy Fund Florida, among others. FRCG lobbyists Jose Keichi Fuentes and Richard F. Candia will join the Government Law & Lobbying Practice Group in the firm–s offices here.
The firm also announced that Daniel A. Espino, attorney and former Miami Springs Councilman, has joined the Government Law & Lobbying practice group here and that George Burgess, already an integral part of Becker & Poliakoff as COO, will also join the enlarged lobbying team to provide strategic advice to clients. Mr. Burgress served a 28-year career in Miami-Dade County government, the last eight of which as County Manager, where he oversaw a budget of over $7 billion.
“Jose, Rich, Dan and George will give Becker & Poliakoff unprecedented access to key policy makers in Miami-Dade, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.,” said Bernie Friedman, Chair of Becker & Poliakoff Government Law and Lobbying Practice Group.
Jose Keichi Fuentes, Founding Partner of FRCG, commented, “Being part of the Becker & Poliakoff team adds value to our client relationships. We have known and worked with their lawyers and lobbyists for many years and are thrilled to be joining forces with their talented organization.”
Mr. Fuentes has more than 25 years of experience working in the government and political arenas and is well-known in Florida political circles. He previously served as the Regional Director for Miami-Dade County–s South Florida Water Management District and as Director of Hispanic Affairs for the Cuban American Legislators from Miami-Dade County. He was also Governor Rick Scott–s appointee as Trustee of Miami Dade College.
Mr. Candia previously served as chief of staff to then State Senator and current Congressman Mario Diaz Balart. He is particularly well known for his high profile representation of Florida International University and the University of Miami before local and community decision makers, the Florida Legislature and Executive branch as well as in Washington.
Mr. Espino–s local government activities include serving on the Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the Florida League of Cities, as well as the Legislative Committee of the Miami-Dade League of Cities. A Miami Springs Councilman for four years, he was one of the youngest elected officials in Miami-Dade County and the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2011 Elected Official of the Year.
Becker & Poliakoff is a diverse commercial law firm with more than 155 attorneys, lobbyists and other professionals in 18 domestic and international offices, including Washington, D.C. and New York. Celebrating its fortieth (40th) year of serving clients, the firm has eight primary areas of practice: Real Estate, Construction Law & Litigation, Community Association, Customs & International Trade, Business Litigation, Corporate & Securities, Government Law & Lobbying, and the Intellectual Property & Emerging Technologies practice. For more about the firm, visit: or to access forums on the latest ideas and opinions on legal matters hosted by Becker & Poliakoff attorneys.
Alan Penchansky
The Pen Group Communications
Tel: (305) 529-1944
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