Hayden R. Dempsey is the Chair of the firm's Government Law & Policy Practice for the state of Florida. He focuses his practice in the areas of lobbying and public policy advocacy, procurement, health care, transportation and infrastructure, and election law.

Hayden has extensive governmental experience, having served in four governors’ administrations. Hayden served as Special Counsel to Gov. Rick Scott, where he oversaw the Legislative Affairs Office and advised the Governor and his staff on legislative, policy and budget issues. He also worked closely with the Governor’s agencies to assist in development and passage of their legislative priorities. Hayden previously served as Legislative Affairs Director, Deputy General Counsel, and Special Counsel for Gov. Jeb Bush. He started his professional career working for Gov. Bob Martinez and Gov. Lawton Chiles.

Hayden lobbies on behalf of numerous private and public clients before both the Legislature and state agencies and represents clients in Medicaid and health policy matters, procurement disputes, transportation and infrastructure issues, health care regulatory matters, and election matters. Hayden has represented the presidential campaigns of Bush-Cheney ’04, Florida and McCain-Palin '08, and the gubernatorial campaigns of Gov. Rick Scott, Gov. Charlie Crist, and Gov. Jeb Bush. Hayden also represented Congressman Vern Buchanan in the 2008 recount and Congressional contest of his election.

Hayden has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America and is active in numerous professional, community and political organizations.