Government Relations

Perkins Thompson has a lengthy history of government affairs practice before the executive and legislative branches of state government. Many 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 discreet issues concerning our clients' interactions with state government. On numerous occasions, attorneys in the Government Relations Practice Group have drafted and introduced legislation to address specific concerns, to clarify or revise existing legislation, or to address a perceived need to adopt new legislation. The Group actively tracks proposed legislation impacting such diverse areas as health-related issues, tobacco and alcoholic beverage sales, taxation, workers' compensation and unemployment compensation laws.

Members of the Government Relations Practice Group frequently appear on behalf of clients before state regulatory boards on licensing matters, regulatory complaints or when a particular board is involved in rulemaking or statutory recodification. Several of the firm's lawyers 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. The Practice Group's attorneys also assist in drafting or revising legislation and assist on specific legislation during work sessions for such legislative committees as Banking and Insurance, Utilities and Energy, Health and Human Services, Business and Economic Development, Taxation, State and Local Government, Legal and Veterans Affairs, Judiciary, and Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

Members of Government Relations Practice Group have been appointed to state commissions, regulatory boards, blue ribbon task forces and other executive or legislative-appointed bodies to study matters of interest to firm clients.