Partners

ROBERT E. TRAVAGLINI

The firm was founded by Robert E. Travaglini, who previously served as President of the Massachusetts Senate between 2003 and 2007. In this capacity, Robert Travaglini presided over the enactment of a number of major legislative accomplishments including the passage of the 2007 landmark healthcare reform bill, stem cell research legislation, life sciences legislation and others. Robert Travaglini served in the Massachusetts State Senate between 1993 and 2007. Prior to this, he served as a member of the Boston City Council between 1984 and 1993. Robert is a graduate of Boston State College.

THOMAS R. KILEY

Tom is a former Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General, having served as the First Assistant Attorney General between 1977 and 1987. He is a partner in the law firm, Cosgrove, Eisenberg & Kiley P.C.. As an attorney, he brings his legal expertise to bear on all of the lobbying firm’s business activities. He continues to provide occasional counsel to state agencies and authorities, but his government practice now focuses on cases involving state, federal and local government for private businesses and citizens.

His practice covers all areas handled by the law firm, with an emphasis on administrative, constitutional and criminal law. Tom is a graduate of Harvard College and Boston University Law School. Mr. Kiley has been on the Board of Arbella Mutual Insurance Company since it was founded in 1988. He won National Citizen of the Year awards from the United States Marshals Service in 1996 and the United States Department of Justice in 1997. He is also a fellow of the American College of Trial Attorneys.

EXECUTIVE TEAM

ARTHUR BERNARD

Arthur Bernard is an attorney with over twenty years experience in senior legal and policy positions in state government, including, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Massachusetts, Chief of Staff to the Massachusetts State Senate President, Vice Chancellor for Government Relations and Public Affairs for the University of Massachusetts Boston, General Counsel for the University of Massachusetts Building Authority and Associate Counsel for the University of Massachusetts system. With a deep knowledge of the workings of state government, Arthur provides strategic advice on issues before local, state and federal organizations. Arthur received his B.A. from Suffolk University and his J.D. from Boston College Law School.

JEN GORKE

Jen Gorke joined TSK in 2016.  Prior to joining the firm, Jen ran point on the launch of the newly created Massachusetts Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) serving as the agency’s Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer. Before CHIA, Jen spent a number of years working on various clean energy initiatives as a member of Governor Deval Patrick’s team. Jen was the Legislative Director at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs working with agency leadership on the development and passage of six landmark pieces of energy and environmental legislation including the Green Communities Act and the Green Jobs Act.  With the creation of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) in the Green Jobs Act, Jen led the initial formation and startup of the organization, oversaw the transfer of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund and worked with the founding Board of Directors to establish the suite of initial programs and offerings. During her time at MassCEC, Jen served as Chief of Staff, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Brand and Marketing Officer. Jen received a B.A. in Government from Harvard College and an MSc in Gender and Public Policy from the London School of Economics.

BRIAN P. LEES

Prior to joining TSK Associates, Brian served as the Clerk of Courts for Hampden County from 2007 to 2014 and as a Massachusetts State Senator from 1989 to 2007. During his time in the Senate, Brian served as the Minority Leader for fourteen years and in that worked on a number of initiatives including worker’s compensation, tax policy, the 2007 landmark healthcare reform bill. With his decades of experience in government, Brian uses his expertise to service the human service and non-profit sectors. Brian began his career in US Senator Edward Brooke’s office and then joined Westvaco in their marketing department. Brian is a graduate of Salem State College.

MICHAEL TRAVAGLINI

Prior to joining TSK Associates, Michael served as Managing Director, Business Development, for Grosvenor Capital Management, L.P., in Boston where he was responsible for developing new business nationally as well as tailoring investment strategies to meet the needs of institutional investors. Prior to entering the private sector, Mr. Travaglini held a series of municipal and state leadership positions with increasing responsibility. Highlights from that experience include: Executive Director of the Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board, where he was responsible for all matters pertaining to the management of the $50 billion in state retirement assets;First Deputy Treasurer of Massachusetts, where he led the incoming transition team as well as serving as the Chief Financial and Administrative Advisor with primary responsibility for overseeing the Commonwealth’s cash management, debt management, Office of General Counsel and the state’s multibillion lottery; and Chief of Staff to Boston’s Planning and Development Agency, formerly known as the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), where he managed the City of Boston’s economic development agencies including the BRA and the Department of Neighborhood Development. Michael received a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. from Harvard University.

Jennifer Benson

Jennifer Benson joined TSK in January 2023. Before joining TSK, Jennifer served for three years as President of the Alliance for Business Leadership (ABL), growing the mission-driven non-profit business organization into a social impact powerhouse providing businesses and business leaders an opportunity to learn about and affect policy around renewable energy, affordable housing, and transportation. Before leading ABL, Jennifer served for eleven years as State Representative for the 37th Middlesex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, serving as House Chair of the Joint Committees on Health Care Financing, State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. While in the legislature she championed legislation on the cutting edge including filing bills to grow the renewable energy economy, modernize our energy infrastructure, define biosimilar therapeutics, and to standardize step therapy practices to better serve patients. Jennifer earned a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, and a B.A. in Art History from Florida Atlantic University.