Find Lawyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for Government Relations Practice
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
John Shirley practices in the area of business law, having represented public utilities before the Louisiana Public Service Commission for over twenty years. His practice consists of representing electric, gas, water and sewer utilities, motor carriers, telecommunications companies, and wind and other renewable energy companies before the Louisiana Public Service Commission. He also consults and lobbies elected public service commissioners, the Louisiana Bond Commission, executive staff and t...
Kevin Welsh practices in the areas of insurance, reinsurance and litigation. He has represented clients in a range of litigation matters including professional liability claims, commercial class actions, education law, real property disputes and casualty litigation. Outside of litigation, Kevin has assisted clients in regulated industries by preparing draft legislation in support of broader, successful legislative lobbying efforts.
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