Matthew L. Berzok, Partner

Matthew Berzok has worked on a number of the most important legislative and oversight issues considered by Congress for nearly 20 years, as senior legislative staff and in the private sector representing major corporations, trade associations and coalitions. Matt has represented a wide range of clients before the House and the Senate, the Executive Branch and various Administrative Agencies. He has worked closely with them to formulate strategy and messaging and advocate their interests to achieve successful outcomes in legislative, oversight and regulatory forums. Matt has been deeply involved with the Democratic Campaign Committees in both the House and the Senate as well as with the campaigns of a number of individual Democratic candidates.  Prior to Rivendell Group, Matt was a name partner in a law firm for over 15 years, representing a wide range of client interests in Washington, DC.

Matt served with Representative Bart Stupak, a key moderate Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and former Chairman of the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee. Matt’s service as Legislative Director and Chief Counsel to Rep. Stupak, included handling all issues relating to the Congressman’s assignment on the Energy and Commerce committee and to his duties as a Deputy Whip. He was the primary staff member responsible for developing and executing the Congressman’s agenda in the areas of telecommunications, healthcare, energy, environment, oversight, financial regulatory reform, and all issues before the Committee. During his tenure with the Congressman he was involved in the development and consideration of virtually all legislation within the jurisdiction of the Committee, including the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the Graham-Leach-Bliley Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendment of 1996, the Pharmaceutical Drug Modernization Act.

Prior to his service with Rep. Stupak, he served as Legislative Assistant to Congressman Peter Deustch from South Florida, handling telecommunications and foreign affairs for a member with a vibrant international district.  He also served as Deputy Finance Director to former Rep. Sam Coppersmith’s senatorial bid in 1994, with responsibility for key fundraising constituencies both nationally and in-state.

Matt holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, New York and Connecticut.

Matt is a native of Stamford, Connecticut. He currently lives with his wife Jennifer and two children in Bethesda, Maryland. He has served on the Boards of the Diener School and the Montgomery County Cheetahs, a hockey team for children with special needs.

Nick G. Kolovos, Partner

Nick Kolovos has more than 20 years of public policy experience and works with a wide range of the firm’s clients including those in the technology, energy and healthcare sectors. In that time he has provided key strategic guidance and policy analysis for a diverse group of the country’s largest and most innovative companies, trade associations and non-profit organizations.

He previously served as a policy advisor to Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-California) where he was responsible for the development and implementation of Rep. Eshoo’s legislative agenda and high-tech policy. During that time he was involved in legislation on comprehensive telecom reform, privacy, and other issues within the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He came to Rep. Eshoo’s staff after serving as an attorney in the Federal Communication Commission’s Wireless Bureau where he developed research strategy for a variety of complex wireless telecommunications issues including the auctioning of federal spectrum.

Prior to founding Rivendell Group, Nick represented a number of Fortune 500 companies in a multi-client law firm practice for seven years.  He also was responsible for launching ENERGY Insight, an information service focused on energy policy and FERC regulatory actions and their impact on the investment community.  Nick’s private sector experience also includes representation of the cable industry at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, the wireless industry at CTIA – the Wireless Association, and the high-tech industry at the Information Technology Industry Council, a trade association representing leading high-tech companies.

Nick is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and the University of Illinois Law School. He began his career in public service by serving two federal district court clerkships; first, for the Honorable Edward H. Johnstone in the Western District of Kentucky, followed by his service to the Honorable Peter C. Economus in the Northern District of Ohio.

He also is an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Nick is a native of New Castle, Pennsylvania and lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Heather and their three children. He is a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Bruce Springsteen, and all Greek food.