Our Government Relations team often assists clients with questions regarding model and uniform laws and how variations in laws across states may impact client business. We have conducted numerous 50-state surveys, researching discrete business issues across the country for firm clients.

The Reed Smith Government Relations team practices before all state agencies, partnering with clients on productive and positive interactions with all levels of state government. We have experience with informal and formal administrative hearings as well as obtaining licensures, certifications, and consent agreements.

Our team has represented clients before the Department of Education, the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, the Department of Taxation, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy, and the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, among others. 

Reed Smith’s federal lobbying team engages with the U.S federal government to skillfully advance our clients’ strategic objectives and fiercely protect their interests. With our team’s significant government service experience, which includes a former member of Congress and governor of Puerto Rico, clients benefit from our ability to leverage a deep and practical understanding of how Washington policymakers make decisions. This, paired with our wide-ranging, cross-sector experience, allows us to hit the ground running and to successfully assist clients in navigating the most complex legislative, policy, and regulatory matters, particularly those with links to Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Government Relations team has substantial experience in legislative and regulatory drafting, with a particular focus on working with emerging technology and traditional industry sectors to set up or revise existing regulatory frameworks. Our attorneys have worked for multiple state legislatures as bill drafters and committee counsel, drafting hundreds of pieces of legislation every year. They have drafted model legislation used across the country. Our team regularly partners with clients to understand a specific business issue, identify the law on point, and draft legislation that can be used in any state.

Our attorneys assist a number of clients with federal and state compliance issues related to political contributions, political activity, and lobbying, including the Federal Election Campaign Act, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, and the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

We have a firm grasp of the rules and regulations that apply to government ethics, conflicts of interest, lobbying, and Political Action Committee activities. We are committed to helping businesses and other entities become politically active without running afoul of these laws.

Reed Smith’s Government Relations team in Virginia is an experienced and innovative group that works collaboratively to achieve the best results for our clients before Virginia’s legislative and executive branches. Our team works together to protect and advance our clients’ interests by constructing effective strategies; engaging stakeholders; building coalitions; drafting legislation; testifying at committee or other public hearings; and lobbying or advocating before key decision makers in the Virginia General Assembly, Office of the Attorney General, Governor’s Office, and state agencies. Our team has more than 50 years of government, political, legislative, and advocacy experience.

We have worked inside all three branches of government and maintain extensive and bipartisan relationships at all levels of Virginia government. This experience allows us to identify potential issues before they arise and craft creative and impactful solutions when they do. The Reed Smith Government Relations team is comprised of strong and determined advocates who will prepare you for effective participation in a legislative, regulatory, or stakeholder process.