William Shouldice & Associates LLC is a tri-partisan, Vermont lobbying, government affairs and public relations firm that designs customized legislative and regulatory lobbying strategies for Vermont, national and international clients. For over 40 years, our team of experienced professionals has helped our clients to successfully navigate the complex and challenging worlds of Vermont politics, lobbying, government affairs, public affairs and professional regulation.

FIRM SPECIALTY

Our firm advocates on a wide-range of issues for clients such as Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, municipalities, multi-national and national firms, and entrepreneurs. We also specialize in helping clients through Vermont licensing and professional regulation matters at the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, as well as non-profit association management.

TAG CONTACTS

HEATHER SHOULDICE joined William Shouldice & Associates in 2005 and became President in 2009. Prior to joining the firm, Heather was a member of the House of Representatives in the Vermont General Assembly where she served on the House Ways & Means Committee. This assignment gave her the privilege of obtaining firsthand knowledge of Vermont’s tax system. Heather’s successes have been the direct result of developing relationships in a true tri-partisan manner, making lasting relationships. She is known as a consensus builder and has brought this valuable skill to the firm.

Through her expansive experience, Heather directs planning and implementation of custom designed legislative strategies for their clients. These strategies include issue research and monitoring, constituency management, briefings for various audiences including government decision-makers outside the Legislature, preparing expert testimony and ensuring the client is in the right place at the right time.

EMMA C. SHOULDICE joined the family firm on January 2, 2020. A 2019 graduate of Providence College, Emma received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Political Science with a Certificate in Business Studies.

Prior to graduation, Emma was a Senior Intern for Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline communicating directly with constituents, provided training to new interns on office protocols, wrote constituent communications, and handled information and database management. Emma also interned for William Shouldice & Associates LLC, monitoring House and Senate committees and bills, analyzed effects of potential amendments in the Vermont Legislature, and assessed the political landscape to proactively move client priorities.

Emma worked for The Advocacy Solutions LLC in Providence, Rhode Island while pursuing her college degree. At Advocacy Solutions, Emma analyzed fiscal year budgets and committee hearings to identify potential impact to clients' interests and presented findings to the Senior Lobbyist, tracked bills through all stages in the Rhode Island General Assembly, as well as managing bill calendars and committee hearings to ensure clients could attend essential meetings at the State House.

Emma's family comes from a long line of government relations enthusiasts. Her Aunt, Heather Shouldice, served in the Vermont House of Representatives. Her Father, Bill Shouldice IV, was Secretary of Commerce under Governor Howard Dean, and her Grandfather, Bill Shouldice III, is the Founder & Advisor of the Shouldice Firm. Emma's Great, Great Grandfather, William Burke, was a State Senator from Rutland County. Emma joins Heather Shouldice, Cheri L'Esperance and Tess Kennedy at William Shouldice & Associates LLC.

Emma lives in South Burlington and spends time on Cape Cod and Lake Dunmore in the summer.

CHERI L'ESPERANCE is the technology and program manager at William Shouldice & Associates LLC. Responsible for the legislative bill tracking and “up-to-the-minute” reporting on legislative and regulatory activity, Cheri works directly with the firm’s clients to ensure they know what is happening in Montpelier, the moment it happens.

Cheri brings considerable experience managing and overseeing multiple projects at various stages of development. Prior to joining the firm, Cheri worked for one of the “Big 4” accounting firms as a Project Manager providing IT consulting, troubleshooting, and server management. Cheri managed projects companywide across the United States, and oversaw more than a dozen people on her team.