The Government Law Center at Albany Law School today announced that President and Dean Cinnamon P. Carlarne has appointed new officers for its Advisory Board, effective July 1, 2025.

Amy Kellogg ’02, Partner and Government Affairs Practice Leader at Harter Secrest & Emery, has been named the new Chair; Patrick K. Jordan ’02, General Counsel for the Port of Albany, has been named the new Vice-Chair; and Jellisa Joseph ’14, Counsel to the Secretary of the New York State Senate, has been named the new Secretary. Each was already serving as a member of the Advisory Board; Ms. Kellogg previously served as Secretary.

“All of us at the Government Law Center deeply appreciate our new officers for the expertise and insights they bring to the Center,” said Patrick Wildes ’16, Director of the Government Law Center. “I look forward to collaborating with the officers to advance the Center’s mission of providing legal analysis on pressing issues facing state and local government and training the next generation of lawyers and leaders in the public sector.”

“The Government Law Center’s Advisory Board is a vital part of the Albany Law community and plays an integral role in helping to advance Albany Law School’s strengths in government law and our distinctive connections to government. We are very grateful to the Advisory Board, and to the new officers for their leadership, and for all they do for the school, our students, and our alumni.” said Dean Carlarne.

Members of the Advisory Board help the Center with programs like the Government Law Center Fellowship Program, which prepares students for distinguished careers in public service, and they provide guidance for the Center’s educational programs and publications examining pressing issues facing state and local governments.

Concluding their service as officers of the Advisory Board are the former Chair, Bartley J. (B.J.) Costello III ’72, shareholder, director, and principal at Hinman Straub PC, and the former Vice-Chair, M. Tracey Brooks ’01, Chief Executive Officer of the Whiteface Club Companies. Mr. Costello will remain on the Advisory Board. 

“We thank B.J. Costello and Tracey Brookes for their leadership and service to the Center,” said Wildes. “We also extend our gratitude to Advisory Board members past and present for their many contributions to the Government Law Center and Albany Law School.”

About the Officers

Amy Kellogg ’02 is a partner at Harter Secrest & Emery and serves as the Government Affairs Practice leader and partner in charge of the Albany office. Ms. Kellogg’s law practice focuses on representing a variety of professional associations, businesses, and not-for-profits before New York State Government, including the New York State Legislature, Governor’s Office, and State agencies. In addition, Ms. Kellogg teaches courses on lobbying and the law as an adjunct professor at Albany Law School and has served on the Advisory Board of the Government Law Center since 2014.

Her twenty-four years of experience includes providing lobbying and government-related services to her clients including helping clients navigate the legislative process, communicating clients’ positions to key stakeholders, drafting legislation and monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on the status of pending legislation and regulations. Ms. Kellogg earned a J.D. from Albany Law School and a B.A. in Politics and Economics from the State University of New York College at Potsdam.

Patrick K. Jordan ’02 is the chief legal officer of the Port of Albany, NY, where he serves as legal advisor to the Board of Commissioners, CEO, and staff. He represents the Port in litigation and all other legal proceedings, including directing the work of legal staff and retained outside counsel. Mr. Jordan drafts and/or reviews all legal agreements (e.g. contracts, leases, bids) regarding Port tenants, vendors, consultants and projects. He coordinates the drafting of Port policies and procedures and drafts all Albany Port District Commission Board resolutions and regulations.

Prior to joining the Port, Mr. Jordan was the Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City of Albany and served as counsel to the City Council, Planning Board, and the Citizens’ Police Review Board. Mr. Jordan is an active community volunteer serving on the Albany County Bar Foundation (secretary/treasurer), the American Association of Port Authorities’ Law Review Committee (chair), the USS Slater Destroyer Escort Historical Museum (vice president), the Capital Repertory Theatre Board, and the Albany Law School National Alumni Association (past president). Mr. Jordan is a graduate of Albany Law School, where he was an associate editor of the Albany Law Journal of Science and Technology. He earned his B.A. from Siena College. He has served on the Advisory Board of the Government Law Center since 2015.

Jellisa M. Joseph, Esq. ’14 has been the Counsel to the Secretary of the New York State Senate since 2021. In this role, she provides legal assistance and representation to Senators, officers, and employees of the Senate on matters pertaining to their official duties, advises on office management and employment issues, and oversees litigation, FOIL, contracts, and any other legal issues impacting the administration of services throughout the Senate. 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Ms. Joseph is a 2014 graduate of Albany Law School. She began her legal career serving as an Assistant District Attorney for the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, NY. She has worked for the City of Albany in multiple roles including as the City’s inaugural Chief Diversity Officer implementing vital diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. She is also an adjunct professor at Albany Law School and has served on the Advisory Board of the Government Law Center since 2020.