Williams Mullen’s Federal Government Relations team was formed in 2011 to serve clients who are impacted by the federal government or who are interested in doing business with the federal government.
The group brings a new dimension to the firm’s well-established State Government Relations practice. Our bipartisan team of veteran professionals is dedicated to solving clients’ problems and delivering results in the federal legislative, regulatory and procurement arena. As a group, our team has over a century of experience working in either the legislative, regulatory or political sectors in Washington, DC. We draw upon this accumulated knowledge and our relationships with key decision makers to develop thoughtful strategies and proven tactics to advance our clients’ objectives.
Our team has the support of our firm’s lawyers whose practices focus on the areas of interest to businesses, governments, associations and individuals.
We have worked on matters in the areas of financial services, insurance, education, tax, transportation, energy, environmental regulation, homeland security and healthcare, and have represented sovereign nations in their efforts in the United States. We also advise companies interested in navigating the federal contracting process.
Clients call upon us when they want ethical advocates with proven experience in Washington to help them steer through the federal legislative and regulatory process.
Government Relations Services
Our team helps clients navigate through the complicated political and procedural environment of Washington while providing the advantage of a full-service law firm with deep legal subject matter experience and resources. We assist clients with the following:
Congressional Advocacy
Whether seeking modifications to existing legislation or the introduction of new legislation, this is the heart of what we do – working to ensure that our client’s views and positions are known and taken into account by policy makers and administrators.
Appropriations, Funding and Procurement Assistance
In today’s political climate, competition for available funds will be fierce and corporations will need governmental affairs assistance to defend and secure limited dollars. Our team has experience in securing funding for clients via congressional appropriations and authorizations.
Intelligence Gathering
Knowing the status of current issues as well as any possible or expected changes is essential. Whether it is the timetable for a proposed regulation or a nuance about a particular tax provision, our professionals can provide up-to-the-minute information and in-depth analysis of legislative and regulatory initiatives.
Coalition Outreach and Coalition Building
Whatever issue a company is facing, it is likely that other companies are facing it as well. Often, there is a distinct advantage in organizing companies with similar interests to create a larger voice and platform for the specific industry, initiative or cause. Our professionals can help identify the players with similar interests, and conduct the necessary outreach and/or organization when appropriate.
Strategic Planning and Communications
Developing an effective message and determining the best way to achieve objectives is an integral component of successful advocacy. Our team has extensive experience creating strategic plans, drafting testimony and talking points and summarizing legislation, amendments and administrative rules.
Our Team
The strength of the Federal Government Relations team is in the rich and varied background of its advocates. Our team members include:
Michael Ferrell: Mike Ferrell serves as Chair of the Federal Government Relations Team and is an experienced lobbyist who has handled an array of matters involving both foreign and domestic clients. In his nearly four decades as a Congressional staffer, private sector attorney, and government affairs representative, Mr. Ferrell has developed a keen understanding of the legislative and political processes, as well as relationships with the decision makers, that define and drive Washington’s policy-setting activities.
Jill Grabowski: Jill Grabowski provides full-service, bipartisan public affairs strategies to support client initiatives amidst the complex public policy challenges they face. She works with clients on government relations, legislative advocacy, procurement, business development, regulatory, public relations and corporate grassroots matters. Ms. Grabowski’s professional background also includes working with public and private companies to develop marketing and strategic plans that define their public policy objectives and determine the best approach to achieve their goals.
Thomas Jolly: Thomas Jolly has over 40 years’ experience working on Capitol Hill and representing clients before the Legislative and Executive Branches of the United States Government. He began as a legislative aide and then served as Counsel to the House Education and Labor Committee's Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education. Mr. Jolly entered private practice in 1978 and, over these past three decades, has worked closely with the House and Senate leadership in the Congress and has worked politically with the Democratic House and Senate Campaign Committees as well as with the Democratic National Committee.
Charles “Chip” D. Nottingham: Chip Nottingham has more than 20 years of combined experience working in Congress, the Executive Branch, state government, private law practice and for a Fortune 100 business. Mr. Nottingham has served as chief of staff for two members of Congress and managed two complex government agencies as chief executive officer. He has developed a deep knowledge of the full range of laws and regulations that impact the transportation sector – ranging from railroads, ports, and motor carriers to maritime interests, highway and transit engineering and operations firms, and aviation interests.