Veteran federal lobbyist Omar Franco has been named Chair of Becker’s Government Law and Lobbying practice, assuming leadership of one of the firm’s longest-standing and most visible practice groups.
Franco succeeds Bernie Friedman, who led the practice for more than three decades. Friedman will remain an active shareholder at the firm and continue representing clients before local governments in South Florida while mentoring younger lobbyists.
“With deep roots in Florida and DC, Omar is the firm’s natural choice to chair the Law and Lobbying team. I am confident Omar will steer the vision, strategy and execution of the group’s goals as we grow,” Becker Managing Shareholder Gary Rosen said.
“We appreciate Bernie Friedman, who has been a fantastic leader, and look forward to Bernie’s continued work with his large, active client base while mentoring the next generation of lobbyists.”
Franco has managed Becker’s Washington, D.C., office since its founding 15 years ago and has overseen the firm’s federal lobbying team throughout that period. Under his leadership, the D.C. operation has expanded in both size and scope, with growth in revenue, headcount, and a client roster that now includes public and private entities across the U.S. and abroad.
Franco praised Friedman for helping establish Becker’s lobbying practice as a bipartisan, collaborative operation and he vowed to build on that foundation as Chair.
“I am honored to carry this forward,” he said.
Franco, who represents clients ranging from municipal governments to Fortune 500s, was named the 2025 Top Lobbyist of the Year by the Hispanic Lobbyists Association and has been recognized multiple times by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics. He has also appeared on The Hill’s annual “Hired Gun” list of top lobbyists each year since 2018.
Franco was the first nonlawyer at Becker to receive the title of Senior Director, a designation equivalent to equity shareholder status.
