About

Our team at Harris Kelsey possesses more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of local and state-level government relations and public policy management, including drafting and passing some of the most significant pieces of legislation in our state’s history, spearheading stakeholder negotiations, and testifying before every major committee in the Legislature.

Our government affairs division is led by Blaine Finch and Fred Patton. Both having served in public office at the state and local level, they bring real-world experience in legislative process, rules and procedures combined with the Statehouse and state agency relationships needed to help their clients achieve success.

Our Team

A practicing attorney, Blaine first began serving in public office when he was 19 years old. At the local level, he served as a city commissioner and was the youngest mayor in Kansas history. At the state level, he served a decade in the Kansas Legislature (2013-2023), including two terms in leadership as Speaker Pro Tem of the Kansas House of Representatives. Prior to that, he served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chairman of the Rules Committee, and Chairman of the Republican Freshmen Caucus.

He played a lead role in drafting such notable legislation as the Kansas Promise Act, the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Plan and critical amendments to the Hard 50 law. During his tenure he also drafted and passed significant legislation related to taxes, economic development, criminal law, adoption and juvenile justice.

Fred, a practicing attorney and small business owner, has served in public office at the local and state level for nearly 20 years. Locally, he served 18 years on the USD 345 Seaman Board of Education. At the state level, he served almost a decade in the Kansas Legislature (2014-2023) where he held leadership roles as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chairman of the Rules Committee, and Chairman of the K-12 Education Budget Committee.

Fred has extensive experience drafting and passing legislation related to business, criminal, civil, education, local government and tax law. He has also served as a voting member of the Kansas Judicial Council.

services offered

Registered lobbyist services and representation

Strategy development and message development to influence public policy changes and help our clients achieve their public policy goals

Review, research and interpretation of proposed and enacted legislation

Drafting of legislative proposals and development of public policy solutions to address our clients’ concerns

Preparation and/or presentation of testimony before legislative committees

Advisement on business law, election law, governmental ethics requirements, and political action and 501(c)4 compliance

Bill tracking and reporting

Coordination of lobbying, legal, public relations and media relations efforts to drive successful outcomes for our clients