Perkins Thompson has a lengthy history of practice before the executive and legislative branches of state government and state regulatory bodies and administrative agencies. The firm has a broad and diverse lobbying, legislative and government affairs, and administrative practice. Lawyers within the firm have appeared on behalf of clients in meetings with representatives from the Governor’s Office and leadership in the Legislature to discuss possible new business initiatives or discrete issues concerning our clients’ interactions with State government. On numerous occasions, we have drafted legislation for our clients – to address specific concerns, to clarify or revise existing legislation, or to address a perceived need to adopt new legislation. We also actively track proposed legislation impacting such diverse areas as energy issues, health-related issues, tobacco and alcoholic beverage sales, taxation, land use regulation, workers’ compensation, and unemployment compensation laws.
We frequently appear on behalf of clients before State regulatory boards and administrative agencies on licensing and permitting matters, regulatory complaints or when a particular board is involved in rulemaking or statutory recodification. We represent clients in negotiating with the Office of the Attorney General regarding licensing, permitting or regulatory complaints and anti-trust matters. We also represent individuals and organizations on regulatory matters before the Ethics Commission.
Several of the Government Services Practice Group are registered lobbyists and regularly appear before State legislative committees to testify on behalf of clients at public hearings on pending legislation or to monitor legislation. We also assist in drafting or revising legislation and assist on specific legislation during work sessions for such legislative committees as Insurance and Financial Services, Energy, Utilities and Technology, Health and Human Services, Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development, Taxation, State and Local Government, Veterans and Legal Affairs, Judiciary, Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and Environment and Natural Resources. The Governmental Services Practice Group is also involved in state political lobbying and planning.
Members of the Group have been appointed to State commissions, regulatory boards, blue ribbon task forces and other executive and legislative-appointed bodies to study matters of interest to firm clients.