Our Leaders

Joe Baerlein - Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications

Joe brings to Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications more than 30 years of first-hand experience in government, political communications, corporate trade associations and the private sector for numerous clients at the intersection of the law, public policy, government and the media. He has advised senior-level executives at a variety of national corporations, trade associations and nonprofit organizations, executing strategies on public affairs, strategic communications and crisis management.

Joe’s political experience includes an undefeated record in ballot campaigns.  Among them was an upset victory in 2006 to defeat a ballot question that would have allowed grocery and convenience stores to sell wine in Massachusetts. In November 2001, he represented the Boston business community in defeating a property tax surcharge proposal for the City of Boston by a 58 percent to 42 percent margin.  In 2000, Joe directed the campaign for the passage of an initiative to allow a state tax deduction for charitable giving and played a strategic consulting role  in that same year in the defeat of a healthcare referendum to adopt a costly and ineffective patient bill of rights.

From 1987-1997, Joe was president of the Choate Group, a public strategy subsidy of the Boston-based Choate, Hall and Stewart law firm, where he also served as of counsel. His clients ranged from financial services entities to pharmaceutical and energy companies.

Joe was formally chief of staff to the Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Affairs and assistant to the Secretary of Environmental Affairs. He later served as campaign manager and chief strategist for Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Evelyn F. Murphy, who, in 1986, became the first woman elected to a constitutional office in Massachusetts history.

From 1979-1982, he worked closely with regional business leaders while serving as vice president of the New England Council, a 1,300 member association, directing the Council’s efforts on federal energy and environmental issues before Congress.

Joe earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing management at University of Rhode Island, a master’s degree in communications from Boston University, and a J.D. from Suffolk Law School. An attorney, Joe has been a member of the Massachusetts Bar since 1983. He serves on the Board of Directors for TechNet New England, Associated Industries of Masschusetts, and the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health.