Adept, hardworking, and resolutely determined, Ben Whipple never shies away from a legislative challenge—no matter how complex. Since graduating cum laude from Notre Dame Law School, his career has spanned across the legal, government, and corporate sectors. As a founder of Third Reading Consulting Group in Illinois, Ben brings extensive experience and expertise to help his clients develop and execute winning legislative strategies on a broad range of issues. Find out more about Ben in the Q&A below, including why he chose to serve on the NASL board of directors:
What does a day at Third Reading Consulting Group look like for you?
Every day is different, which is one of the many reasons why I love this work. If the General Assembly is in session, you’ll often find me reviewing bills in the morning or catching up with members. Then, I generally spend the day in committee hearings or negotiations, followed by networking or social gatherings in the evenings. When the legislature is in recess, we have a full slate of meetings to connect and strategize with clients on their legislative goals.
Can you tell us more about the establishment of the firm?
I’ve worked with Paul Williams, firm co-founder, in some capacity for nearly 15 years and respected him long before that. I was familiar with Kareem Kenyatta, our other partner, when he worked for the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and director of legislative affairs for the Illinois Attorney General. We founded Third Reading in early 2023 after sharing several clients and quickly learning that we share complementary skill sets, work ethics, and, as a team, offer unparalleled insight into the General Assembly. As a former state representative and president of the Black Caucus Foundation, Paul has built deep relationships in and out of the legislature. Kareem brings a unique perspective from his time in the government and private sector. These experiences align well with my legal, corporate, and government work. We make a unique and effective team.
What is the secret to Third Reading Group’s legislative success?
Our government partners and clients know they can trust us to tell the truth and back it up with facts, which is why we’ve developed such great relationships in the General Assembly. In addition, I believe we have unmatched insight into the legislative process. We recognize that members’ time and capacity are limited. We don’t waste anyone’s time – we focus on the crux of the issue, develop a clear message, and target our efforts to reach the right legislators and policymakers.
How do your previous professional experiences benefit your current work?
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to write, interpret, and help pass countless bills. I understand how language can affect a bill’s meaning or chance of becoming law, and I help clients navigate those different pressure points. As a former in-house counsel, I can also see the legislative process from the corporate perspective. I walk clients through the steps to help ensure parties remain aligned to achieve their desired results.
Along with the designation of “America’s Top Lobbyists,” what are the primary benefits of being an NASL member?
I like to say that NASL is a “pure” referral group because we know our fellow members well and implicitly trust each other’s ethics and capabilities. If I connect a client with another NASL firm, I am confident their team will do a fantastic job. Because we often share clients, we consult with each other when strategizing legislative approaches. I always look forward to our annual meetings, connecting with my fellow members, and taking advantage of education and training opportunities.
Connect with Ben and the Third Reading Consulting Group team here.