BrightTower, a New York-based investment banking and M&A advisory firm, has served as the exclusive financial advisor to Lightview Capital in its strategic growth investment in Thorn Run Partners (TRP), a national bipartisan government relations and public affairs firm.
The transaction, announced October 19, 2026, establishes a partnership intended to accelerate Thorn Run Partners’ expansion through additional service offerings, talent recruitment and entry into new policy sectors and geographic markets.
Financial terms of the investment, including the transaction value and ownership stake acquired by Lightview Capital, were not disclosed.
Thorn Run Partners, which ranks among the nation’s top 10 government relations firms, serves more than 300 clients across corporate, government and nonprofit sectors.
Its client base includes startups, Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, nonprofit organizations and trade associations.
The firm provides government relations, grant consulting, federal policy analysis and strategic communications services.
Founded in January 2010 by veteran lobbyists Andrew Rosenberg and Chris Lamond, Thorn Run Partners has grown into a government relations and public affairs organization employing more than 60 professionals.
Rosenberg previously served on the staff of former Democratic Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, while Lamond worked for former Republican Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee.
Their respective political backgrounds have helped establish Thorn Run Partners as a bipartisan advisory firm serving organizations navigating federal policy and government affairs.
The company maintains offices in Washington, D.C., Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, California.
Following the investment, Rosenberg and Lamond will continue overseeing day-to-day operations as Co-Chief Executive Officers.
The partnership with Lightview Capital is expected to provide additional resources to support Thorn Run Partners’ growth strategy while maintaining continuity in its executive leadership.
Conor Mullett, Co-Founder of Lightview Capital, said Thorn Run Partners’ operating performance, client relationships and specialized expertise were important factors behind the investment.
“Thorn Run’s sustained growth, exemplary client roster, innovative mindset, and reputation for employing subject matter experts make them a compelling platform investment for us,” Mullett said.
He added that Lightview sees opportunities to expand the firm’s capabilities beyond its existing government affairs services.
“In TRP, we found a firm that is both committed to client service today and has a real vision for tomorrow for how to develop a synergistic suite of new offerings that will cement their position among the top government affairs firms in the country,” Mullett said.
“We are thrilled to partner with Chris, Andrew, and the TRP team to expand their footprint.”
Lightview Capital is a private equity investment firm focused on businesses in the services sector.
The investment in Thorn Run Partners aligns with its strategy of supporting established service providers seeking to expand their market presence and operational capabilities.
For Thorn Run Partners, the partnership is intended to support the development of additional advisory services and the recruitment of professionals with specialized policy expertise.
The firm also plans to expand its capabilities across new policy verticals and geographic markets, although specific expansion locations and timelines were not announced.
BrightTower acted as Lightview Capital’s exclusive financial advisor throughout the transaction.
Headquartered in New York City, BrightTower provides investment banking services focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and debt capital markets.
The firm specializes in advising businesses and investors across software, technology-enabled marketing, IT business services and information markets.
Its clients include entrepreneurs, private equity firms, growth equity investors, venture capital firms, debt providers and corporations.
BrightTower’s role in the transaction reflects its advisory activity in the business services sector, where private equity investors are pursuing opportunities involving specialized professional services companies.
The investment also marks a new phase for Thorn Run Partners as it seeks to build on its existing government relations platform through additional capital and strategic support.
Neither Lightview Capital nor Thorn Run Partners disclosed plans for specific acquisitions, additional office openings or changes to the firm’s current management structure.
With Rosenberg and Lamond remaining as Co-CEOs, Thorn Run Partners will continue operating under its existing leadership while pursuing expansion initiatives supported by Lightview Capital’s investment.