John M. Jennings

John Jennings is a member of the Government Affairs practice group, where he advocates on behalf of businesses, professional associations, and not-for-profit entities. He helps clients address the complexities of state and local government, from legislation to executive orders and administrative action.

He has significant experience representing clients in biotechnology, energy, higher education, and other highly regulated industries. He also helps clients to strategize regarding the availability of and access to a variety of government funding mechanisms and other programs.

Before he joined the Government Affairs team, he practiced for several years in the trial department, where he gained invaluable experience honing writing and advocacy skills representing clients in complex commercial litigation matters.

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

• Member, Board of Trustees, , Roberts Wesleyan University and Northeastern Seminary
• Adjunct Instructor, Political Science at Roberts Wesleyan University
• Former Member, American Bar Association Government Affairs Professionals Committee
• Former Member, Board of Directors, Cameron Community Ministries
• Active participant in local politics

HONORS & AWARDS

• 2009 G.O.L.D. (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award, Roberts Wesleyan College. Awarded for professional excellence, community involvement, active participation in the ongoing work of Roberts Wesleyan College and maintenance of a lifestyle that’s in harmony with the spirit and philosophy of the college.
• Editor-in-Chief, Buffalo Law Review, SUNY Buffalo Law School

NEWS

Press Releases

• Harter Secrest & Emery Announces New Partners, January 4, 2021

PRESENTATIONS

• Co-Presenter, “Lobbying 101,” Harter Secrest & Emery webinar, November 18, 2021
• “The Importance of Being Registered: Client Advocate or Accidental Lobbyist?” National Cannabis Bar Association Annual Conference, May 2018
• “Government Contracts, Lobbying, and Other Ways You Can Get Yourself Into Trouble,” NewYorkBIO
  Annual Conference, May 2018
• “Albany: What Really Happens in the Room Where it Happens,” Harter Secrest & Emery’s Labor and Employment Law Conference, April 26, 2018
• “Show Me the Money: Introducing New York City and State’s $1.2 Billion in Life Science Economic Development,” NewYorkBIO Roundtable at the New York Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, September 2017
• “New York Life Science Initiatives,” with Maria K. Mitchell, Senior Vice President Life Sciences, New York Empire State Development Corporation, NewYorkBIO Annual Conference, 2017
• “Municipal Procurement: Pitfalls and Windfalls,” Association of Town Clerks Annual Conference, April 2017
• “Lobbying, Advocacy, and Staying Out of Jail,” Corning Area Chamber of Commerce, March 2017
• “Medical Cannabis: The Convergence of Healthcare, Business, and the Emerging Cannabis Industry,” NewYorkBIO Annual Conference, May 2016
• “The Role of the Town Clerk in Referendum Elections,” New York State Town Clerks Association Annual Conference, April 2016
• “What Towns Should Know About Lobbying, Ethics, and the New York State Commission on Public Integrity,” 2016 New York State Association of Towns Annual Conference and Training School, February 2016
• “Dealing with Government in an Ethical Fashion,” Albany Law School Hot Topics CLE, May 2015
• “Town Referendum Elections: Let’s Not Get Sued!” 2015 New York State Association of Towns Annual Conference and Training School, February 2015
• “START-UP New York Update,” 49th Annual Tax Institute, Monroe County Bar Association, November 2014
• “Ten Years – No Taxes? Yes, Please!” Roundtable discussion regarding the STARTUP NY economic development program with Adam Spence, Senior Vice President STARTUP NY, Eva Brown Cramer, Vice President SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and Nathan Tinker, Executive Director of NewYorkBIO, September 2014
• “So You Have to Run a Referendum Election…” 32nd Annual New York State Town Clerks Association Conference, April 2014
• “A Tempest in a Teapot? Lessons for Tax Exempt Organizations from the IRS ‘Tea Party’,” 48th Annual Tax Institute, Monroe County Bar Association, November 2013
• “Municipal Ethics: A Lobbyist’s Thoughts on How to Run a Village While Staying out of Trouble,” Municipal Electric Utilities Association Accounting Workshop, October 2013