"Having Phil and his experience and his judgment and his knowledge has absolutely been enormously helpful to me. . . . Getting him to be sitting at the table is a major improvement in services that I was able to offer clients," Michaels said.
The success of Optimus, one of the newer firms to lobby in Trenton, offers insight into relationships that seldom draw public attention and the demand for well-placed consultants to navigate state government.
Norcross built a reputation as a smart and business-savvy lawyer over several decades and is now managing partner at Parker McCay, one of the state's top law firms. The company received $9.2 million from public sector contracts in New Jersey last year - more than $513,000 from the Gloucester County government, where Sweeney until December was the longtime freeholder director.
Those familiar with Norcross, who lives in Mount Laurel, describe him as more private than George Norcross, the Democratic leader in Camden County, and their other brother, Sen. Donald Norcross (D., Camden). They say he prefers to stay under the radar and keep his name out of the newspapers.
Philip Norcross turned down repeated requests for an interview.
"Those who know me know that I enjoy new challenges and I believe the development of a new level of strategic and business consulting firm would present such an exciting challenge," he said in a statement. "Jeff shared that common vision and, as a result, we decided to organize the company."
