The Stevens & Lee Companies announced today that it has established a New Jersey public affairs firm and has hired Anthony J. “Skip” Cimino to lead the Princeton-based company.  He joins as Senior Managing Director.

Stevens & Lee Public Affairs, LLC will work with private company and non-profit clients to advance their governmental interests in New Jersey. The new firm joins a platform of companies that includes Stevens & Lee, one of the 250 largest law firms in the country with more than 185 lawyers, including 50 who reside in expanding New Jersey offices in Princeton and Bergen County.

“The addition of Skip and the launch of the public affairs firm significantly expands our ability to advocate in New Jersey on behalf of our clients,” said Ernie Choquette, Chairman, President and CEO of The Stevens & Lee Companies. “We’re pleased to welcome him on board and look forward to the work we can do together to serve our clients,” said Mr. Choquette.

A business executive, long-time government leader and former elected public official, Cimino takes more than three decades of experience to his representation of clients before the New Jersey state legislature and executive branch. He has served in chief executive and other leadership roles for a number of significant New Jersey institutions, including RWJ Hamilton hospital, CMX Engineering (successor firm to Schoor DePalma), Spiezle Architectural Group and First Bank.

Prior to joining Stevens & Lee Public Affairs, he served as Executive Director to the New Jersey General Assembly Majority Office and, earlier in his career, was elected an Assemblyman of the 14th Legislative District for the State of New Jersey. He also served on the gubernatorial transition teams for Governor McGreevey and Governor Florio, and was Commissioner of Personnel on Governor Florio’s Cabinet.

Cimino has led many non-profit and philanthropic organizations dedicated to economic and community development in New Jersey. He is Chairman Emeritus of Greater Trenton and Immediate Past Chair of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and he has held leadership positions in the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, the Independent College Fund Foundation of New Jersey, and the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey, among many others.

Cimino earned his B.A. from Providence College and completed M.A. coursework at Georgetown University before leaving for military service.