Government Relations

Williams Mullen’s Government Group represents businesses, associations and individuals in government-related actions at the federal, state and local levels with special focus on Virginia, North Carolina and Washington, D.C.  Experience and effective advocacy efforts are at the core of our service.  We also distinguish ourselves by understanding our clients' businesses, and working cooperatively to prevail on our clients' interests.

Williams Mullen’s Government Group represents businesses, associations and individuals in government-related actions at the federal, state and local levels with special focus on Virginia, North Carolina and Washington, D.C.  Experience and effective advocacy efforts are at the core of our service.  We also distinguish ourselves by understanding our clients' businesses, and working cooperatively to prevail on our clients' interests.

The Federal Government Relations team, based in Williams Mullen’s Washington, D.C. office, assists clients with matters requiring attention in the political, legislative and federal regulatory arenas. Through issue management, relationships with key policymakers, grassroots and direct advocacy, our bi-partisan federal government relations team delivers creative and integrated solutions for any political environment.

At the state level, our team of attorneys and government consultants has decades of experience working with the executive and legislative branches of government. We have worked closely with statewide elected officials, legislators, agency heads, key staff and interest groups.  We have extensive experience actively counseling and advocating for clients on issues before the Virginia and North Carolina General Assemblies, and we are proud to have represented clients in most of their major public policy developments.  Our advocacy continues throughout the year and includes coordinating grassroots lobbying efforts, providing political advice and helping clients work with pivotal members of the legislature. In addition, the Group regularly advocates for clients before state and local government boards and agencies.

The team’s strength comes from the distinct experience of our attorneys and professionals. The Federal team is led by a Washington veteran with over 30 years of experience in legislative and political affairs. In Virginia, this includes a 16-year veteran of the Virginia House of Delegates; a lobbyist representing clients before the Virginia General Assembly for more than 30 years; a former Virginia secretary of commerce and trade; and a former Virginia secretary of administration. In North Carolina, it includes a former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives; a former member of the North Carolina Senate; and a former deputy chief of staff and press secretary to a governor of North Carolina. Equally important, our team includes many other attorneys and consultants with significant government advocacy experience.

As veterans of the legislative and political process, our team has unique insight and understanding into the workings of governors administrations, state legislatures and agencies. Williams Mullen has the talent and experience to assists clients in any state where they may have an issue. We work with our clients to identify the best approach to address their distinct issues and then prepare a detailed strategy. If necessary, we also help them recruit local professional assistance for the project in the targeted or affected state.

Our clients’ diverse interests include: 

• Alcoholic beverage regulation
• Budget-related issues
• Business corporate issues
• Communications
• Construction
• Economic Development
• Employment 
• Energy
• Environment and natural resources
• Financial institutions
• Health care
• Insurance
• Intellectual Property
• International  
• Maritime
• Privatization
• Procurement
• Professions and professional regulation
• Real estate: land use and development
• Retirement communities 
• Taxation (including non-profit)
• Technology (including internet technology)
• Telecommunications
• Tort reform
• Transportation