It is with great anticipation that Paul Hawkes' lobbyist office opened recently in Tallahassee. Paul Hawkes has been planning the grand opening for some time and hopes that others are as eager to see this new chapter of his life begin as he is. After many years working for the Florida state government, Paul Hawkes is pleased with this new way to be involved in seeing that people's interests are heard by the right people.

"This is something different for me," Paul Hawkes said, "But I'm thrilled to give it a shot."

Paul Hawkes has worked for every branch of the Florida state government at various stages of his professional life. In 1990, Paul Hawkes started as a young Republican representative, serving two terms for the 26th and 43rd Districts before moving on to the Executive branch. As Deputy Director of the Office of Policy and Budget within the Office of the Governor, Paul Hawkes worked closely with Governor Jeb Bush in his efforts to make government more efficient and to better serve Florida’s people. Between these efforts, Paul Hawkes returned to the legislature to serve as an adviser for two different Speakers of the House. When a vacancy occurred on Florida’s largest appellate court and Paul Hawkes was nominated by the Judicial Nominating Commission, Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Paul Hawkes to be an appellate judge in the First District Court of Appeal. Paul Hawkes gladly accepted.

With Paul Hawke’ experience in each branch of government, and experience lobbying for the court system and the First District Court of Appeal, it is easy to see how Paul Hawkes would naturally agree to represent others before the legislature after leaving the court. Further, Paul Hawkes believes he will be a rather good lobbyist, as he knows what is needed to present an issue to the appropriate people.

"Lobbying well is not easy," Paul Hawkes mused, "you have to be very attuned to both the needs of the people you are representing, the needs of the policy makers, and to know how to meld those two needs into a common goal. But I enjoy the challenge. "