Influence Alley

Jim Manley, who made a career of spinning reporters for top Senate Democrats, has signed on as a senior director at Quinn Gillespie and Associates, working in both the lobbying and communications groups.

Manley told Influence Alley he is still figuring out whether the work he'll do requires him to register as a lobbyist.

"I'll do whatever's necessary but I think the focus will be on building up the communications practice," Manley said. "But with 21 years on the Hill, I have a lot to offer the government affairs group."

The firm represents clients such as AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Microsoft, Sony and Visa, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Most recently, Manley worked as a top communications adviser to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who praised his former aide in a firm press release announcing his hire.

"Quinn Gillespie is fortunate to have someone of Jim Manley's caliber," Reid said. "After 21 years in the Senate, no one knows more about Capitol Hill and how Washington works than Jim."

Reid left the Senate in December and took some time off to travel and Tweet before deciding where to begin his post-Hill life.

"I looked at large firms and small firms and in the end I decided that Quinn Gillespie is the right fit," he said. "It's a pretty small shop led by Jack Quinn, a guy with a proven record of success."

Manley also worked in the press offices of former Sens. Ted Kennedy and George Mitchell.