What we do
Strategic Government Affairs Services
From the statehouse floor to the regulatory hearing room, we provide the senior-level counsel and relationships that move policy forward.
A full-service government affairs practice
Sherry D. Nickerson Consulting offers a comprehensive suite of government affairs and public policy services tailored to the unique demands of Maryland's legislative and regulatory environment.
Every engagement is led personally by Sherry — bringing decades of direct experience, trusted relationships, and strategic insight to bear on your most pressing policy challenges.
Legislative Advocacy & Lobbying
We represent your interests before the Maryland state legislative and executive branches, building relationships with key decision-makers and crafting persuasive narratives that advance your policy objectives.
Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
From rulemaking to agency engagement, we help clients understand, anticipate, and respond to regulatory developments — minimizing risk and maximizing opportunity.
Policy Research & Analysis
Rigorous, actionable research that equips your team with the intelligence needed to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the policy curve.
Coalition Building & Stakeholder Engagement
We identify and unite aligned voices — building coalitions that amplify your message and create durable political support for your priorities.
Legislative Advocacy
Advancing your priorities in the Maryland General Assembly
Effective legislative advocacy requires more than presence in Annapolis — it demands relationships built over years, a deep understanding of the legislative process, and the credibility to be heard when it matters most.
- Bill drafting, review, and amendment strategy
- Testimony preparation and hearing representation
- Sponsor and co-sponsor recruitment
- Floor strategy and vote counting
- Session monitoring and real-time legislative intelligence
Regulatory Affairs
Navigating Maryland's regulatory landscape with confidence
Legislation is only the beginning. The regulatory process — rulemaking, agency guidance, and enforcement — shapes how law translates into practice. We help clients engage agencies effectively and protect their interests throughout.
- Agency relationship management and stakeholder engagement
- Rulemaking comment drafting and submission
- Regulatory compliance strategy and risk assessment
- Permit and licensing advocacy
- Interagency coordination and dispute resolution
Policy Research & Analysis
Intelligence that informs strategy and strengthens your position
Sound advocacy begins with sound analysis. We provide rigorous, actionable policy research that equips clients to engage with authority — whether in a legislative hearing, a regulatory proceeding, or a media inquiry.
- Legislative history and precedent research
- Comparative state policy analysis
- Issue briefs and white papers
- Stakeholder and opposition mapping
- Economic and fiscal impact analysis
Coalition Building
Uniting voices to amplify impact
The most durable policy victories are built on broad coalitions. We help clients identify natural allies, bridge divides, and build the kind of unified advocacy that commands attention from legislators and regulators alike.
- Stakeholder identification and outreach
- Coalition structure and governance design
- Messaging alignment and communications strategy
- Third-party validator and grassroots engagement
- Long-term alliance management
Our approach
Senior counsel. Direct access. Measurable results.
We do not hand your account to junior staff. Every client works directly with Sherry — a seasoned professional whose relationships and reputation in Annapolis have been built over a career of principled advocacy.
Our engagements are structured around your goals, not billable hours. We bring strategic clarity to complex policy environments and stay with you from initial strategy through final outcome.
Direct access
to senior counsel on every engagement
Maryland focus
deep expertise in state government affairs
Trusted relationships
built over decades in Annapolis
Results-driven
strategy aligned to your policy goals
Ready to advance your policy agenda?
Let's discuss how we can put our experience and relationships to work for you.