Hayden R. Dempsey

Hayden R. Dempsey is the Chair of the Florida Government Law & Policy Practice. He lobbies on behalf of numerous private and public clients before both the Florida Legislature and state agencies and represents clients in Medicaid and health policy matters, procurement disputes, transportation and infrastructure issues, health care regulatory matters, and election matters. He also focuses on the lobbying of insurance and other regulatory issues before the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Florida Legislature.

Hayden has broad governmental experience, having served in four governors’ administrations. Hayden served as Special Counsel to Gov. Rick Scott, where he oversaw the Legislative Affairs Office and advised the Governor and his staff on legislative, policy and budget issues. He also worked closely with the Governor’s agencies to assist in development and passage of their legislative priorities. Hayden previously served as Legislative Affairs Director, Deputy General Counsel, and Legislative Counsel for Gov. Jeb Bush. He started his professional career working for Gov. Bob Martinez and Gov. Lawton Chiles. He represented the presidential campaigns of Bush-Cheney ’04, Florida and McCain-Palin '08, and the gubernatorial campaigns of Gov. Rick Scott, Gov. Charlie Crist, and Gov. Jeb Bush.

Concentrations

•Governmental affairs
•Medicaid and health care policy and regulation
•Insurance regulation and legislation
•Transportation and infrastructure
•Administration and regulatory litigation
•Procurement
•Election law

Recognition & Leadership

Awards & Accolades

•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations Practice, 2007-2012, 2018-2020
•Team Member, Best Lawyers in America , Top Listed - Government Relations, 2018
•Team Member, BTI Power Rankings, “The 16 Strongest Firms for ‘Go-To Outside Counsel’ Insurance Work,” 2016
•Team Member, a U.S. News - Best Lawyers Government Relations Law Firm of the Year, 2014
•Ranked, Tier 1 - Government Relations, Tallahassee Metropolitan Area