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Elissa Flynn-Poppey

Member
617.348.1868
vCard
Boston


Education

  • Suffolk University (JD)
  • Bridgewater State College (BA, Economics)

Bar Admissions

  • Maine
  • Massachusetts

Elissa chairs the firm’s Government Law Practice.

Before joining Mintz Levin, Elissa was deputy legal counsel to Governor Romney and executive director of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Office of the Governor of Massachusetts. Before joining the governor’s office, she was an associate in the litigation section of a Boston-based law firm, focusing primarily on the defense of complex litigation. Elissa also previously served as a law clerk to the justices of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, and was research assistant to Judge Joseph Nolan of the Supreme Judicial Court. She also previously worked for Congressman J. Joseph Moakley and Massachusetts Senator Jo Ann Sprague.

Elissa represents government and private entities as well as individuals on matters regarding ethics, privacy, higher education, government ethics, corporate compliance, public contract procurement, conflict of interest laws, public records law, lobbying, campaign finance, open meeting law, and other government areas.

She is senior counsel to clients on all aspects of government operations and frequently trains government entities on compliance. She also advises large corporations and businesses on the unique political law issues they face when interacting with government. Elissa assists clients with developing and maintaining policies and systems to ensure compliance with ethics, lobbying, and other political laws. She also represents clients in enforcement actions and internal investigations. Elissa also serves as a Special Assistant Attorney General representing and defending various state entities.

As a former senior member of the governor’s legal office, she has extensive experience in legislative and regulatory drafting and government compliance. She has lectured and written extensively on public records law, ethics, campaign finance, lobbying, and open meeting law.

Elissa is actively involved in a variety of cases for the firm’s pro bono practice. Most recently, she led the legislative redrafting and developed the strategic plan for the passage of the recently enacted G.L. c. 258E, “An Act Relative to Harassment Prevention Orders,” a law which allows a victim of stalking, sexual assault, and/or harassment to obtain a criminally enforceable restraining order against her or his perpetrator.

For her pro bono work on the harassment prevention law, she received a public service award in 2010 and the Massachusetts Legislature also issued a proclamation in recognition for her work on redrafting legislation. The firm was awarded the American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award in August 2010 for its work on the legislation.

Recognitions & Awards

  • Boston Business Journal: “40 Under 40” (2010)
  • Public Service Award, Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service (2010)
  • 40 Under 40 Award, STARS (2010)
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers: Rising Star – Political Law (2005 – 2010)
  • Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly: “10 Up and Coming Young Lawyers” (2005)
  • Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders (2007)
  • 100 Women of Distinction, Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Advisory Council, New England Legal Foundation
  • Associate editor of Law Review, Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Board of Overseers, MSPCA
  • Board of Directors, Friends for Children
  • Advisory Board, Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service
  • Diversity Committee, Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office
  • Board of Trustees (2005 – 2010), Bridgewater State University
  • Member (2002 – 2008), Norfolk Zoning Board of Appeals and Historical Commission