The Ickes and Enright Group, an independent subsidiary of the Tiber Creek Group, is a legal, policy strategy, and lobbying firm based in Washington, D.C. It was founded by former Democratic Party operatives Harold M. Ickes and Janice Ann Enright.

Background

In 1997, Harold M. Ickes and Janice Ann Enright, both former Democratic political operatives, formed The Ickes & Enright Group, Inc. Later, the Ickes & Enright Group merged with Griffin, Johnson, Peck, Madigan & Stewart firm, establishing the Tiber Creek Group, which has since expanded to include Bay Bridge Strategies, Tiber Creek Health Strategies, and TiberCom. ¹

In addition to the firm’s founding partners, employees who have formerly served in the offices of Democratic lawmakers include Sean Richardson, formerly a staffer for Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), and Ipyana Critton Spencer, formerly a staffer for Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY). ²

Clients

According to the website of the Tiber Creek Group, the Ickes and Enright Group’s parent firm, the firm’s staffers are generally experienced in supporting left-progressive and Democratic Party causes. For instance, the website notes particularly the firm’s collective experience with the Civil Rights Movement, the Clinton administration, “helping elect progressive leaders,” and providing “value to clients and influence within Democratic Circles.” ³

Clients which the Ickes and Enright group have lobbied on behalf of include Northwell Health, the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, the Consortium for Worker Education, the New York Hall of Science, and the Amalgamated Transit Union. ⁴

Founders

Harold M. Ickes

Harold M. Ickes is a founding partner and president of the Ickes and Enright Group as well as the chairman emeritus of Meyer Suozzi (formerly known as Meyer Suozzi English & Klein, or MSEK) and the co-chair of its labor and government relations practice groups, managing the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. ⁵

Previously, Ickes, often serving as counsel, worked on a variety of Democratic presidential campaigns. Notably, in 1992 Ickes chaired then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign, and, following the latter’s inauguration, served as his deputy chief of staff under Leon Panetta. During that time, Ickes acquired the nickname “the Garbage Man” for his involvement in Clinton administration scandals. ⁶

In 1996, following the appointment of Erskine Bowles as Clinton’s chief of staff, Ickes resigned. However, in 2000, Ickes joined the campaign of President Clinton’s wife Hillary Clinton (D) for a New York seat in the U.S. Senate. Later, Ickes worked for Hillary Clinton again during her 2008 presidential campaign. ^{7 8 9}

Janice Ann Enright

Janice Ann Enright, who died on February 6, 2018, was a founding partner of Ickes and Enright. In 1985, Enright worked at the Long Island law firm of Meyer Suozzi, where she first met Ickes, gradually becoming a trusted ally and confidant. In 1992, Enright worked on the Democratic National Convention in New York City with then-Democratic National Committee chairman Ron Brown. During Ickes’ tenure in the Clinton Administration, Enright served as his chief of staff for three years, including during the 1997 G-8 Summit in Denver. She later joined Hillary Clinton’s 2000 campaign for senate in New York and her 2008 presidential campaign. ¹⁰

1.  “Obituary: Janice Enright.” Washington Post. February 11, 2018. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/janice-enright-obituary?id=1650706
2. “Ickes and Enright Group Inc.” Legistorm. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://www.legistorm.com/organization/summary/41488/Ickes_and_Enright_Group_Inc_.html
3. “Tiber Creek Group’s bridge between New York and Washington.” Tiber Creek Group. Accessed April 25, 2022.
4.  “Ickes and Enright Group Inc.” Legistorm. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://www.legistorm.com/organization/summary/41488/Ickes_and_Enright_Group_Inc_.html
5. “Harold Ickes.” Meyer Suozzi. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://www.msek.com/attorney/ickes-harold
6. Lewis, Michael. “Bill Clinton’s Garbage Man.” New York Times. September 21, 1997. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/21/magazine/bill-clinton-s-garbage-man.html
7. Dunn, Geoffrey. “You Bet Your Ass: Clinton’s “Garbage Man” Takes a Ride to the Dump.” Black Star News. June 1, 2008. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20080612181808/http://blackstarnews.com/?c=135&a=4584
8. “Harold Ickes.” Meyer Suozzi. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://www.msek.com/attorney/ickes-harold
9. Smith, Ben. “Hillary’s Hammer Returns.” Politico. April 18, 2007. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://www.politico.com/story/2007/04/hillarys-hammer-returns-003595
10. “Obituary: Janice Enright.” Washington Post. February 11, 2018. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/janice-enright-obituary?id=1650706