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Practice Area Overview
The primary roles of the public policy and government relations practitioner are education and advocacy. Unlike more traditional lawyer roles, the advocacy of the public policy and government relations practitioner spans many congressional offices and various executive branch agencies, and/or their state counterparts. Public policy and government relations practitioners air issues before members of Congress and their staffs, as well as other legislative bodies and executive agencies that may have an interest in a particular piece of legislation or regulation. They ensure their clients’ grievances are heard and advocate on their clients’ behalf to modify or stop laws or regulations that adversely affect them.
Given the differing interests of the two houses of Congress, as well as those found in other lawmaking bodies in the federal, state and local levels, finding common ground that addresses all of the various issues raised is one of the biggest challenges. The successful practitioner is able to work with clients to express to the relevant governing bodies the consequences of a particular course of action in clear, concise and understandable terms. This is often accomplished by educating the applicable branch of government, either through meetings, the submission of written comments or some combination of these efforts.
Hon. Thomas M. Reynolds, Senior Strategic Policy Advisor
Douglas Dziak, Counsel
Sally Vastola, Strategic Policy Advisor
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J. Mark Adkins is a partner in the Charleston office of Bowles Rice and a member of the Business Litigation Practice Group. His primary areas of practice include business litigation, commercial and contract disputes, financial services/banking litigation, energy litigation, construction litigation, election law and products liability litigation. A native of Salt Rock, West Virginia, Mr. Adkins received his J.D. in 1997 from the West Virginia University College of Law, where he was a member of...
Alan Albert is a nationally-honored trial lawyer who has represented clients from Muhammad Ali to multinational corporations in a broad array of commercial disputes, white-collar criminal investigations and prosecutions, intellectual property litigation and other governmental and regulatory matters. Mr. Albert has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America continuously for the past 20 years, and is one of a small number of lawyers in the country to be recognized by Best Lawyers in six dis...
Professional Experience Justin Allen practiced law as a litigator for almost eight years at Wright Lindsey Jennings before joining the Arkansas Attorney General’s office as Chief Deputy Attorney General. As Chief Deputy, Allen gained considerable experience in government relations matters. In that position, Allen was responsible for all legal departments within the office and handled legal issues faced by the State, including constitutional issues, consumer protection, environmental, an...
Mr. Alonso has been practicing law in Nevada for over thirty years. His practice includes Gaming Law and Government Relations. He represents clients before the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission on gaming regulatory matters, and represents clients on Legislative and government affairs matters before the Nevada Legislature and other governmental agencies. He is a member of the State Bar of Nevada and the Washoe County Bar Association, and is admitted to practice befor...
David C. Ashburn represents a diverse array of clients in their dealings with numerous state and federal regulatory agencies. David’s understanding of governmental regulatory processes has also enabled him to provide counsel to buyers and sellers of health care related businesses, and to lenders and private equity groups that finance those transactions. The many types of health care, managed care and insurance related clients David has represented include the following: Ambulatory surge...
Newell Augur has more than 20 years of experience in Maine in the fields of government relations and administrative law, cultivating long-standing relationships with state government officials and other policy leaders. Newell’s experience includes designing and executing his clients’ legislative strategy, enlisting and organizing stakeholders, serving as spokesperson for press events, and monitoring initiatives that affect client operations. He has appeared before the Maine Commis...
Bruce Wyche Bannister is a partner of Bannister, Wyatt, & Stalvey, LLC and a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. Mr. Bannister graduated from Davidson College in 1995 and went on to earn his law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1998. Mr. Bannister focuses on Family Law, Eminent Domain, and Real Estate Law. He has tried cases involving Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Eminent Domain, Education Law, Residential Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Gover...
Skilled in governmental relations and legislative issues, Richard assists domestic and international companies to succeed and grow, in both regulated and deregulated industries including energy and telecommunications, financial services, health care, insurance, retail, real estate development, entertainment and manufacturing. His considerable energy experience includes representing domestic and foreign energy companies in developing New England generation facilities. He served as lead counsel...
M. STANFORD BLANTON serves on the Firm’s Executive Committee and is a member of the Energy Practice Group. His practice is focused on the representation of the owners, operators and purchasers of electric generating facilities, with special emphasis on nuclear development, regulation and policy. Blanton represents the owner and operator of the first new nuclear reactors ordered in the United States in thirty years on matters ranging from the formation and implementation of contracts for...
Axel Bolvig focuses his practice on construction law and government contracts. He joined Bradley after earning engineering and law degrees from Duke University. He has represented some of the nation’s largest and most successful federal contractors on projects throughout the country. For example, he has handled claims and counseled clients on federal hospital projects in Atlanta, Baltimore, Bay Pines (FL), Birmingham, Cape Coral (FL), Dallas, Detroit, Fort Bragg (NC), Fort Hood (TX), Ne...
Thomas J. Bond is Co-Chair of the firm's Government Law & Policy Practice and Co-Chair of the Insurance Regulatory & Transactions Practice. He focuses his practice on insurance and regulatory law in Texas and on a national basis. His clients include insurance holding companies, life, health and property liability companies, trade associations, reinsurers, health maintenance organizations, title underwriters and agencies, corporate insurance agencies, commercial insured, and the insura...
David Brown focuses on domestic and international commercial transactions, including complex land use, concurrency, comprehensive land plans, and environmental issues. He has led billion-dollar transactions and financings and has organized some of the largest real estate developments in Florida and elsewhere in the country.Mr. Brown’s professional focus has been directed at organizing major corporate, real estate, and government transactions, including initiation of the State of Florida...
Jeff Brown is a member within Moore & Van Allen's Commercial Real Estate group. He focuses his practice on the representation of investors and developers in an array of real estate-related transactions and ventures. Jeff represents and serves as counsel to his clients in a comprehensive range of real estate-related matters, from financing, acquisitions and dispositions, joint venture and real estate investment structuring, and development, including complex land use, entitlement and publi...
Reginald “Reg” Brown is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He has a vibrant and diverse crisis and governmental investigations practice, and regularly counsels financial institutions and other industry-leading clients facing complex and significant regulatory, enforcement and reputational matters. Reg provides investigations-related guidance, strategic counsel and crisis management assistance to a broad range of companies and senior executives c...
Chairman Norman Brownstein has earned the respect and trust of leaders on both sides of the aisle, which is why U.S. Senators Ted Kennedy and Hank Brown honored him with the title of "America's 101st Senator." Mr. Brownstein opened a government relations office in Washington, D.C. in 1995. The team initially consisted of two policy professionals and a couple of sublet cubicles. Subsequently, the organization has grown into one of the largest, most successful bipartisan government relations pr...
Managing partner of the Indianapolis office and a member of the firm’s Management Committee, Brian Burdick practices in the areas of government services and public finance law. In his third decade of practice, Brian remains dedicated to understanding his clients’ business goals and most importantly, what a win looks like for their company. Brian represents both public and private clients before state and local regulatory bodies and administrative agencies. His experience includes ...
The Business Services Practice Group at Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes, PLC focuses its practice on assisting clients grow their businesses. We assist clients to create a method of distributing the client's products or services to achieve the client's business goals. We assist clients in developing a corporate growth strategy, designing a distribution system, designing and documenting licensing relationships, or franchising the client's concept. We are experts in the regulatory requirements of ...
Debbie Champion is a founding partner in the firm Rynearson, Suess, Schnurbusch and Champion. Ms. Champion actively practices in Missouri and Southern Illinois state and federal courts. She has argued before the Missouri Supreme Court and the Eastern, Western and Southern District Missouri Courts of Appeals, and the Illinois Court of Appeals. She has also argued in the federal court of the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri, and the Eighth Circuit a...
Michael J. Cherniga is Co-Chair of the firm's Health & FDA Business Practice. On a regional and national basis, Mike's practice involves representation of a diverse client base consisting of health care organizations (and clients which support the business of health care), both for-profit and not-for-profit. He also has substantial experience serving health care professionals and allied health care personnel who serve or support those organizations. The types of clients involved in the bu...
David Childs, a partner with Holtzman Vogel, helps clients solve problems with government. Often the solutions involve successful modifications to Florida statutes and regulations. Other times it involves supporting budgetary items critical to a client’s interests or helping clients identify and pursue procurement opportunities. David has earned a reputation for forthrightness and an in-depth understanding of water policy, the legislative process, and state administrative procedures. Da...
Douglas S. Chin has extensive experience in state and federal courts, from Hawaii to the United States Supreme Court, and experience in managing state and local government agencies at the highest levels. Mr. Chin focuses his practice in commercial litigation, administrative law, and government relations. Mr. Chin is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell® ; the highest rating possible, for his skill and integrity. Mr. Chin has been named to the The Best Lawyers in America® lis...
Bart Daniel co-heads the White Collar Crime Defense and Government Investigations team. His practice focuses on both civil and criminal litigation. He has tried numerous white collar, healthcare, environmental, securities, and general litigation matters to verdict in South Carolina. Nominated by President George H.W. Bush, Mr. Daniel was confirmed and served as U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina from 1989 to 1992. During his tenure, he served as lead prosecutor during Operation ...
Miriam Dant is widely recognized as a skilled government affairs professional whose broad public and private sector experience enables her to craft government solutions for her clients. She founded Dant Advocacy in 2006, and has grown the firm with clients ranging from some of the world's largest manufacturers, to homegrown Indiana companies, to trade associations and municipalities. The firm is certified by the State of Indiana as a Women's Business Enterprise, and represents clients at the ...
Jim Davis , a member of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group, draws upon his extensive experience in the public sector to provide strategic legal, legislative and regulatory counsel to clients in Florida, the District of Columbia and across the country. Mr. Davis served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 10 years, from 1997 to 2007. He represented the City of Tampa and portions of St. Petersburg, Bradenton and Hillsborough County, Florida. In 2006, Mr. Davis was t...
Sam Destito is the chair of the firm's Governmental Practice Group. His experience spans many industries, with a particular focus around regulatory issues and disputes involving insurance, banking and real estate. Real Estate Within the real estate industry, Mr. Destito represents for-profit and non-profit developers in aspects of their development and redevelopment endeavors. From a governmental perspective, he is frequently involved with the strategic positioning of real estate before vario...
Mr. Diebenow is a partner at the firm. His primary focus is real estate, land use, zoning, and government law. As a registered lobbyist across a wide range of issues, Mr. Diebenow represents individuals, corporations, landowners and developers to secure business and development incentives as well as entitlements including land use, zoning, concurrency and mobility fee approvals. He also provides legal counsel in real estate transactions including the acquisition, entitlement, financing, and d...
Robert’s diverse practice is centered on administrative law, with an emphasis in the financial and insurance industries, land use and development, and government relations, including associated litigation and appellate advocacy. His experience in these areas enables him to provide strategic guidance in assisting clients to navigate and craft solutions to multifaceted legal challenges. Robert is selected as a top administrative law attorney in Concord, NH, by Super Lawyers® with a Ri...
John DiLorenzo has authored and been a primary advocate for major legislation in the areas of state and local taxation, with special emphasis on property tax, tort reform, natural resources and economic development. John also assists clients in campaign finance, government ethics, initiatives and referendums, insurance recovery actions, environmental claim responses, appellate cases and a variety of government-related litigation matters.
Dwight Drake is a partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Columbia where his practice focuses on government relations, legislative issues, and disputes involving government contracts. Maintaining an active litigation practice, Mr. Drake has argued before the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Former United States attorney and Colorado deputy attorney general. Seasoned counselor and litigator for clients facing federal and state government investigations and internal investigations. Recognized political law advisor to corporations and nonprofits on campaign finance, election and ballot initiative law. Throughout his time as United States attorney, deputy attorney general of Colorado and years of private practice, Jason Dunn has handled some of the highest-profile cases in Colorado....
Peter Ellsworth has a depth of experience in state administrative law and litigation; commercial litigation; public utility regulation; hospital and health care regulation; gaming; insurance; elections and campaign finance; administrative litigation and judicial appeals; and commercial regulatory matters. He has counseled property and casualty insurance companies in litigation over credit scoring and has counseled gubernatorial campaigns. He has drafted and defended the validity of constituti...
Bob Enten is one of Maryland’s best known lobbyists and concentrates his practice in the area of government relations. He is general counsel to the Maryland Bankers Association and is Maryland local counsel to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. He is closely involved in legislative and regulatory issues affecting banks, health care organizations and insurance-related entities. Bob also represents a wide range of other business interests before the Maryland General As...
Phil Faccenda, managing partner of the South Bend office, advises on the full array of municipal finance and corporate transactions. Clients and colleagues alike appreciate Phil’s dedication to their legal needs, conscientious responsiveness and resolute focus on client goals. Phil regularly counsels and assists clients in financing transactions and general corporate matters. He also serves as bond counsel in a variety of taxable and tax-exempt financings, including transactions for loc...
Mr. Fahleson serves as an attorney and advisor to businesses, organizations, insurers, governmental bodies/officials, and individuals, providing strategic advice and practical counsel on the issues they face. When litigation becomes unavoidable, Mr. Fahleson’s zealous yet cost-effective representation has resulted in numerous successful verdicts from federal and state court judges and juries. Whether it involves employment law, agriculture or government relations, Fahleson’s exper...
Mr. Ferm’s practice concentrates on legislative, regulatory, and corporate transactional matters on behalf of the insurance industry, and regulated industries and professions. He heads Hall & Evans’ Regulatory and Public Policy Practice Group, which represents a wide range of entities for national trade associations to individual companies. His accomplishments include participation in the drafting and passage of Colorado tort reform, workers’ compensation reform, regulat...
Jon Ferry brings his substantial experience as a federal prosecutor to assisting clients in False Claims Act litigation, government investigations and other enforcement actions, internal risk analysis and internal investigations. Jon served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina for over seven years. As the head of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) program and the Healthcare Fraud Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jon led and supervised num...
Robert Fine is a board certified construction law attorney and a Florida-registered, nationally certified architect. His practice focuses on land use, zoning, historic preservation, environmental, and administrative law. Robert’s work ranges from representation before local governments for zoning and other development approvals to building code appeals, code enforcement and unsafe structure defense; and at a state level, petitions for declaratory statements, lobbying for and challenging...
Marc has been recognized by his peers as a Best Lawyers in America for his outstanding work in Employment and Labor Law. He regularly represents public and private employers in all areas of labor and employment relations, including all facets of contract negotiations, litigation, mediation, conflict resolution procedures, disciplinary matters (arbitration and civil service), the daily administration of internal policies, state and federal laws, and collective bargaining agreements. He serves ...
Bill is a partner with Beers Mallers, LLP whose practice is devoted to municipal law, municipal finance law, construction law, and labor law. Bill served as a Chief Deputy County Attorney from 1977 through 1984 and as the Allen County Attorney from 1984 to the present. He is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and ABA Forum on The Construction Industry. Bill was selected by his peers as one of Indiana’s Best Lawyers for Construction Law from 2008-2019.
Former SEC investigative attorney. Regulatory-focused litigator helping companies and individuals navigate regulations and defending them in investigations. Emily Garnett uses her government experience, public policy background and litigation skills to advise clients on high-stakes regulatory enforcement and litigation matters. While at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Emily was a lead investigative attorney working on cases concerning potential violations of federal securities in...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.