Williams Mullen is pleased to announce that Richard A. Zechini has joined the law firm’s Government Relations practice in its Raleigh office. Formerly with Progress Energy where he was Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Zechini is regularly ranked by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy as one of “North Carolina’s Most Influential Lobbyists.”
Mr. Zechini will work with clients on state government relations, legislative advocacy, campaign finance, electioneering, ethics, procurement, financial services, tax, regulatory, environmental, and corporate grassroots matters. He brings experience developed over fifteen years as a legislative staffer and lobbyist.
At Progress Energy, Mr. Zechini was responsible for developing and implementing a legislative strategy to promote the company’s business and strategic objectives. He served as the company’s chief registered lobbyist in North Carolina, responsible for all lobbying activities at the General Assembly and key relationships in the Office of Governor. He also directed strategy for utilizing grassroots and third-party actions on legislative and environmental issues.
As Director of Government Affairs for the North Carolina Association of REALTORS® for nine years, Mr. Zechini was responsible for managing the government affairs department for the 37,000 member trade association that included legislative and regulatory affairs, political fundraising, grassroots and electioneering activities.
While serving as staff attorney at the North Carolina General Assembly, Mr. Zechini provided legal services for various legislative committees and study commissions. He conducted legal research on statutory and regulatory issues, drafted legislation and legal memoranda, and provided explanations and analysis of legislation.
Mr. Zechini joins the Government Relations team at Williams Mullen. He will work closely with well-known lobbyist and state and local tax attorney Charles B. Neely, Jr. in Raleigh. The firm also recently added Susanna Davis, a non-lawyer former legislative staffer and legislative assistant to the Governor’s lobbyist, who provides state legislative support, bill tracking, committee coverage and Secretary of State compliance.
Mr. Zechini earned his J.D. from Washington & Lee University and his B.S. in economics from North Carolina State University.
About Williams Mullen
Williams Mullen provides comprehensive legal and government relations services that help grow the business of our clients and the economy of our region across North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. As an AmLaw 200 firm, our attorneys and consultants strive to find the answers and solutions that help clients grow. Putting our clients’ needs first has been the foundation of our approach since the firm was founded 103 years ago. Visit us at www.williamsmullen.com.