A group of Missouri lobbyists have left the global law firm Dentons to start their own lobbying firm, Nexus Group.

Kelvin Simmons joined Dentons in 2012 after serving as the Missouri Commissioner of Administration for three years under former Gov. Jay Nixon.

Simmons, who has served in a variety of cabinet posts under past governors, also was twice elected to the Kansas City Council and has worked on presidential and congressional campaigns.

The new firm’s clients include some of Missouri’s largest and most influential businesses and organizations, including Civic Progress, Express Scripts, Centene, Major Brands, Lyft, St. Louis Blues, Teach for America, Kansas City Sports Commission, Anthem, Spire, Kansas City Zoo, Shelter Insurance, Leggett & Platt and the Missouri Economic Development Council.

“We have long relied on their wise advice and counsel, and congratulate them on the start of their new firm,” Civic Progress Executive Director Tom Irwin said in a release. “Some firms are good at monitoring legislation or defeating bad bills, but the Nexus Group leads a short list that has a track record of passing big bills and moving the region forward.”

Nexus Group will be headquartered in Jefferson City and provide governmental relations, contract procurement and public policy services. Other partners in the firm are Rodney Boyd, Kate Casas and Brian Grace.

Boyd had been a member of the Dentons Public Policy and Regulation practice and the Government sector team, focusing on state legal, governmental relations and public policy services.

Casas focuses on government affairs at the state and local levels. Her clients include businesses in the education, health care, telecommunications and technology sectors.

Grace focuses on state and local legislative, regulatory and public policy advocacy for corporate, trade association, nonprofit and local government clients.

Simmons focuses on government contract procurement and municipal lobbying.

Nexus Group will be a member of Dentons 50 — a multi-state lobbying network. Additionally, Boyd will hold the title of senior counsel with Dentons, which will enable Nexus Group to provide its clients access to Dentons legal services.

“The team at Nexus Group is second to none in building relationships and helping organizations like ours stay connected and informed about important public policy initiatives,” Regional Business Council CEO Kathy Osborn said in the release.

Dentons ranks No. 8 on the Kansas City Business Journal’s Top Law Firms List, with 54 local attorneys.