Holtzman Vogel Announces Attorney Elevations: Firm continues growth with 40+ lawyers nationwide; represents 70+ entities in 2022 Midterms

January 3, 2023

Holtzman Vogel Baran Torchinksy & Josefiak PLLC, a nationally recognized law firm specializing in government, regulatory matters and litigation, is pleased to announce that Robert Volpe was elevated to partner, John Cycon and Dennis W. Polio were promoted to Of Counsel, and Darby W.Thorne was named Senior and Managing Associate. All four attorneys have been instrumental in the firm’s growth this past year, successfully representing clients in a variety of matters including land use, commercial litigation, corporate investigations, constitutional law, and political and election law.

“I am so grateful to and proud of Robert, John, Dennis and Darby.  Their individual expertise, attention to detail, and passion for great client service have helped Holtzman Vogel become a powerhouse in political and regulatory law,” said Managing Partner Jill Holtzman Vogel, former Chief Counsel for the Republican National Committee and a sitting member of the Virginia General Assembly. “Today, with over 40 talented lawyers and four offices, we are well positioned to represent high-profile clients in a very specialized practice.”

Robert Volpe, based in Tallahassee, represents property owners and developers on land use and real estate development issues.  His practice focuses on disputes involving private property rights, complex real estate transactions, comprehensive planning, zoning, developments of regional impact, and other planned and large-scale developments.  He routinely presents on the legal aspects of land use and development including lectures at Florida State University in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, and formerly served as Chair of the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Commission and Local Planning Agency.  Complementary to his legal practice, Volpe is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser with experience in the valuation of commercial and agricultural properties.  He received his J.D., magna cum laude, and his B.S. from Florida State University,

John Cycon, based in Northern Virginia, focuses his practice on governmental and internal investigations.  His experience spans five continents, and he has successfully resolved inquiries from various U.S. and foreign regulators. He also advises clients on remediation and enhancing compliance programs, as well as defending them in corresponding civil suits. Prior to joining the firm, Cycon was an attorney at a large firm in New York City and the District of Columbia, where he represented companies, boards of directors, and individuals in various high stakes enforcement and litigation matters.  He also served as a judicial law clerk with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa.  Cycon received his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, his M.S. from Mercy College, and his J.D. from the University of Iowa.

Dennis W. Polio, based in Washington DC, focuses his practice on First and Second Amendment, redistricting, campaign finance, and election-related litigation and appellate practice as well as election law, lobbying, campaign finance, and tax-exempt organizations’ compliance. He also regularly co-authors amicus briefs and appellate briefs in the Supreme Court of the United States, the various federal courts of appeals, and state supreme and appellate courts; and has also authored and co-authored several articles in academic journals and with the Congressional Research Service in the Library of Congress. Currently, Polio currently serves as Deputy General Counsel to the Republican Governors Association. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Carmen E. Espinosa, Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, and worked in the Office of General Counsel for the Republican Governors Association. Polio received his B.A. from Fairfield University, his M.P.A. from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and his J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law.

Darby W. Thorne, based in Washington DC, provides counsel in the areas of campaign finance, election law, lobbying and ethics compliance, and tax-exempt organizations. She specializes in advising political committees, corporations, and tax-exempt organizations on a variety of regulatory and political law matters. She also has extensive experience in ethics and gifts rules, lobbying disclosure, charitable solicitation and professional fundraising compliance. Thorne served as Deputy General Counsel to the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 2020 election cycle, served as Assistant Special Counsel in the Office of White House Counsel and as the Director of Gift Protocol, and as Associate Counsel for the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee. She also served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Clifford J. Proud, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.  Thorne received her B.A. from the University of Rochester, her M.P.H. from Saint Louis University, and her J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law.

These elevations follow a very active two years for the law firm.  Holtzman Vogel opened up its Tallahassee, Florida office in 2021 and Phoenix, Arizona office in 2022.  The firm also represented 70+ clients during the 2022 midterm elections.