A leader in the lobbying and public policy spaces, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP maintains one of the country’s largest and diverse bipartisan practices in the market. The Washington DC-based team fields expertise from both lawyers and advisers who have both experience in elected offices, as senior staff members of Congress, and in the executive branch of the government. The public law and policy practice at the firm also maintains close relationships with regulators and lawmakers, offering clients a full wrap-around service encompassing legal support, strategy, and lobbying. Tax, trade, health, and financial services are a key areas of expertise for the team, as well as Native American law, energy, and environment. The practice is co-led by intellectual property and and international trade dispute expert Brian Pomper; and transport, tax, and technology specialist Hunter Bates. The team has seen continued growth during 2021, adding international trade, and health and food policy expertise to the already deep bench of individuals. The firm was active in assisting clients in the healthcare sector during and post COVID-19 pandemic, and a destination for companies navigating US/China international trade matters. Arshi Siddiqui has extensive political, private-sector, and policy experience, acting as counsel for both members of the House, and corporate clients before Congress. Ed Pagano is notable for their communications, technology, antitrust, and immigration reform expertise.

Squire Patton Boggs Washington DC-based public policy offering excels in providing integrated and multi-disciplinary expertise from within the firm’s international backdrop. US-China/US-Europe policy matters and relationship issues are a mainstay of the team’s expertise, which regularly advises and advocates before the executive and Congress for both corporate and sovereign clients, the latter being where the team excels. Current noteworthy work includes high-stakes work within pension reform and national cannabis legislation. Matters related peace in the Middle East and US bilateral relationships are also a focus of the team. The firm’s Capital Thinking blog – a publication offering thought leadership, public policy, and regulatory insights continues to be a valuable resource for clients, and members of the practice are regular speakers in news sources and radio as experts. Edward Newberry and Robert Kapla co-lead the practice- Newberry manages the the global public policy, investigatory, and regulatory solutions practice, trusted by and representing some of the largest companies in the world. Kapla advises multinational corporations, and is trusted by Sovereign governments as counsel for foreign investment, international trade and policy, and project development. Patricia Doersch and Carolina Mederos co-chair the team and are key contacts for transport, local government and infrastructure policy issues, particularly for transportation agencies, corporations, and municipal governments. Aubrey A. Rothrock III is counsel of choice for large domestic and multinational corporations, particularly in private sector coalitions. David Schnittger has extensive expertise in the energy, transportation, entertainment, and financial services industries. Senior associate Ludmilla L. Kasulke is also notable, building a strong practice in international goods and services trade, investment flow, and global supply chain-related mandates.

The legislative and public policy practice at Arnold & Porter has seen an increase in demand for its services and practitioners. The group focuses on offering clients a cross-practice, collaborative approach to their policy, regulatory, investment, and lobbying needs. The team maintains a deep bench of former senior government officials from key government agencies, and is particularly adept at advising on trade policy issues. The healthcare, technology and communications, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, and education sectors are where the team shines. Kevin O’Neill spearheads the practice, competent and trusted across a wide range of industries, representing some of the world’s leading foreign manufacturers in the trade and technology industries, as well as the life sciences spaces. Also recommended in the team is Eugenia Pierson – head of the healthcare legislative advocacy practice.

Hogan Lovells US LLP offers clients globally informed excellent expertise where government policy and business intersect. The team excels in advocating several major automotive manufacturers, and national industry associations. Sovereign governments also hold the firm’s practice in high-regard. Tax reform legislation is also a mainstay of the firm, representing a range of clients across the full range of issues, with particular expertise in renewable energy tax incentives. Practice head and prominent Democratic lobbyist Ivan Zapien leverages extensive experience in the private sector and Capitol Hill with strong ties to all levels of government, advising on some of the firm’s most recent high-level mandates. Alongside him, Mark Irion co-leads the public procurement practice and is the go-to for strategic communications in the firm. Former senator Norm Coleman is a key name for congressional investigations work. Energy and the financial services sectors are where Aaron Cutler is best known for. Michael Bell advises extensively on all aspects of political law compliance at all levels of government. Health lawyer and lobbyist Cybil Roehrenbeck  joined the team in March 2021, bringing with them an extensive history of advising on and influencing health policy and legislation. Counsel Ari Fridman is of note, specializing in national security and foreign policy matters.

Holland & Knight LLP’s public policy and regulation practice is headed up by Rich Gold and Robert Highsmith. The team has extensive experience in coalition building and management across a range of industries, including healthcare providers, pharmaceuticals, and energy. Lawyers are based in Washington DC.

K&L Gates’ public policy group provides strategic counsel and policy advocacy, advancing legislative and regulatory objectives for public and private organisations across a number of industries. Offering a holistic view, the group is notable for its high-level technology expertise, particularly where it intersects in emerging areas such as commercial spaceflight, sustainability, and national defense, helping clients navigate the full policy life cycle, from legislation, to regulation, including dispute resolution. Bipartisan in its practice with a deep bench of expertise, the firm has a global reach, as well as strategic state and local presence. Emanuel Rouvelas  has enjoyed a distinguished career, often working with the executive branch and Congress on international trade and transport matters following his notable maritime law expertise. Michael Scanlon is also a leader in the maritime law space. Karishma Shah Page is the go-to practitioner for Fortune 500 companies, national trade associations, and tax exempt entities with technical policy issues. David Wochner is counsel to and represents a number and wide range of clients in the energy industry, advising on matters where federal policy and regulatory issues impact commodities and infrastructure, particularly in the natural gas, LNG, and hydrogen energy sub-sectors. Alongside the prior three, Darrell Conner is also a leader in the group. Also of note are Bruce Heiman, a cyber security and privacy policy expert; Daniel Crowley who specializes in financial services and capital markets; and emerging technology expert Paul Stimers. All practitioners mentioned are based in Washington DC.

Mayer Brown’s public policy and regulatory practice is spread across Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Chicago, maintaining strong connections with both Democratic and Republican members giving the team a strategic edge in their offering. Notable is the group’s capabilities in the communications, privacy, cybersecurity, and technology industries, as well as the firm’s overall strength in global financial services. A distinguishing factor for the team is their presence in shaping privacy-related legislation and in representing transport industry clients in emerging areas such as autonomous vehicle and peer-to-peer ride-sharing matters. A triumvirate of Philip Recht in Los Angeles; Duane Layton in Washington DC; and Joseph Seliga in Chicago lead the group. Mitchell Holzrichter and Howard Waltzman are also recommended, regularly advising government contractors, private investment funds, service providers, and trade associations on campaign finance matters and compliance programs.

Scott Segal and E. Dee Martin lead the Washington DC-based government relations practice which sits within the wider policy resolution group at Bracewell LLP. Known by peers and the industry for their strong environmental and energy expertise, the team assists utility companies, refiners, renewables and chemical producers in regulatory and legislative issues. The team is also renowned for their expertise in FBI policy issues, and also provides strategic media and professional communication services to its clients. Segal is a key contact in the industry for energy and environmental legislation, leading in climate change policy development. Martin regularly advises corporations, industry coalitions, trade associations, and non-profit organizations through the regulatory and public affairs aspects of governmental advocacy campaigns. Christine Wyman and Joshua Zive are also of note, focusing on policy strategy development and international trade respectively.

Adept at both state and federal level public policy, Dentons’ group operates as a fully integrated national practice. Alongside a strong Washington DC practice, the group is noted for its presence in Georgia. The practice is headed by Eric Tanenblatt who splits their time between Atlanta and Washington DC. Also notable in the team are Andrew Shaw and Chris Fetzer, both based in Washington DC. Shaw focuses primarily on energy and environmental policy matters advising clients on federal legislative and regulatory issues, while Fetzer leads the firm’s national security and foreign policy team, maintaining a focus on the defense, trade and (cyber)security areas.

King & Spalding LLP’s Washington DC-based government relations practice is recognized for its presence in the healthcare and life sciences sector. The team regularly advises for and non-profit healthcare providers, industry trade associations, medical device companies, and other similar clients, with a strong track in congressional investigation for a growing number of clients. Government ethics and lobbying specialist Thomas Spulak leads the team, advising client son the intersection of congressional procedure, federal election law, and government ethics. Also of note within the team are Lloyd Hand, a defense and technology advocacy specialist; healthcare legislation strategist David Farber. Daniel Donovan is also a key contact for congressional investigations.

Miller & Chevalier Chartered is well renowned in the market for its tax policy practice. The Washington DC-based team, under the new joint leadership of Jorge Castro and Loren Ponds, have significant experience with the inner workings of the Treasury and the IRS combining government experience with technical tax proficiency to further the goals of their clients. Ponds’ expertise lies in tax controversy before the IRS, and Castro focuses on international tax matters. Also of note in the team is Marc Gerson, who chairs the firm’s overall tax departnment. Tax policy specialist Leonard Bickwit left the firm in March 2023.

The government public policy and government relations group at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is chaired by Greenville based David Wilkins, former ambassador to Canada. The group has a strong presence across the East Coast, providing assistance to advisors and advocates by leveraging deep bipartisan relationships, for a range of clients including sovereign countries, private sector clients, Fortune 500 global companies, non-profit organizations and cultural institutions. Recent instructions include transport industry representation, and advising on several major economic development projects. Korean governmental and corporate clients regularly seek out DC-based Woojin Shin in state and federal level trade issues. Raleigh-based Dennis Wicker retired in September 2022.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP’s bipartisan public policy team combine substantive expertise with impressive high-level relationships with congresspeople, federal agencies, and the White House. Recent instructions for the team include representation and advice for clients in the telecommunications, financial services, cyber security, and energy/environment industries. The offering is broad-based, with expertise in federal and state lobbying, and congressional investigations. Elizabeth Vella Moeller heads the practice, with high-profile clients trusting her advice and expertise on federal funding, compliance best practices, and complex government investigations. Brian Finch’s practice combines cybersecurity and SAFETY Act experience to offer clients regulatory, cyberattack, and ransom-ware issues advice. Craig Saperstein is also recommended. All practitioners mentioned are based in Washington DC.

Washington DC-based Nancy Macan McNally and Shannon Angielski co-lead Van Ness Feldman LLP’s government advocacy and public policy group. The practice is well regarded in the areas of federal energy, natural resources, environmental law, climate change, Native American affairs and related policy. Clients include global and industrial companies, financial institutions and investment funds, trade associations, municipalities, and state and local governments, Native American and Alaskan Native entities and advocacy coalitions, all of which trust the group to provide strategic policy guidance, and advocacy. Seattle and Washington DC are both bases for Richard Agnew, who splits their time equally between the two cities and has extensive expertise relating to federal law and permits governing energy projects.

WilmerHale’s public policy and legislative affairs group maintains deep regulatory strength, with antitrust and competition related matters a core capability of the group. The offering focuses on providing an integrated, substantive, policy, and political approach for clients from a multi-branch perspective where needed. Media, technology, and communications industry clients trust the team and their bipartisan experience. The team is led by Jonathan Yarowsky, who has prior senior level government experience and advises on congressional investigations. Also notable in the team is Rob Lehman, who in addition to group mainstays, has an active environmental and national security regulation practice.