Practice Areas & Industries: Adams and Reese LLP

Practice/Industry Group Overview

The Adams and Reese Governmental Relations Team provides detailed representation in the public sector by integrating our clients' federal, state and local business goals and participating in the legislative and executive branch processes. Our Team understands that a broad range of public policy tools can be applied to achieving our clients' business and other strategic objectives. Beginning with a clear articulation of a client's needs, our attorneys and lobbyists craft and implement strategies that may touch upon legislative or executive processes at a local, State or Federal level. Our approach is characterized by building coalitions, addressing public affairs challenges with cross-functional teams, and pursuing bipartisan strategies.

Our Governmental Relations Team has been assembled with a special focus on addressing the unique features of the process for funding today's environmental, transportation and homeland security needs. We have brought together professionals who understand the laws that shape Federal funding, and we have enjoyed measurable success in achieving appropriation earmarks and authorizing language that meets the needs of our government, private sector and non-profit clients.

Over the years, our client base has grown from local companies and individuals to include international corporations, municipalities and other government entities, universities and varied non-profit organizations, and regional coalitions. In Washington, our clients are drawn from many States and our commitment is to provide our clients with high quality Federal representation in the most prompt, cost effective and efficient manner possible.

Services Available

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Substantive Lobbying

Adams and Reese believes in substantive lobbying, working with clients to devise solutions to business and organizational challenges, and developing strategies to implement those solutions with reliance on public policy tools.

Adams and Reese has recruited "substantive lobbyists, " including many former legislators and other distinguished public officials, whose collective networks and experience translate into powerful tools for addressing business and organizational challenges.

Appropriations and Authorizations

Adams and Reese is experienced in assisting clients with interests related to the 13 annual appropriation bills, and we understand the complex process by which Congress shapes, authorizes and fund state and federal programs. In appropriations matters, Adams and Reese team members appear before Members and staff on Capitol Hill, and interact routinely with the delegations of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Florida and Alaska.

Washington Activities

The attorneys and staff members in our Washington office are available to:

• Analyze specific business and other strategic objectives

• Evaluate and manage political risks

• Promote interests before government departments, agencies and legislative bodies, in the diplomatic community and in broader policy arenas

• Undertake research and policy analysis, draft or deliver testimony, and prepare and distribute formal and informal advocacy materials

• Draft, monitor, promote and report on legislation

• Build grassroots support and address cross-jurisdictional policy issues by working with the Firm's state and local governmental relations professionals

Taking a Regional Approach

Adams and Reese uses a regional approach in deploying our Governmental Relations Team. We develop project teams with lobbyists and technical professionals from our offices throughout the South Central United States to provide clients with the breadth and depth needed to address issues and projects that touch multiple jurisdictions. In addition, we are comfortable with participating in or managing broad initiatives. The Governmental Relations Team routinely joins forces with outside lawyers, lobbyists, event planners and other specialists to create the best approach for meeting objectives of our clients.

While our client base is increasingly national in scope, Adams and Reese remains committed to furthering the economic well being of the South Central Region. We recognize the need for regional businesses and citizen groups to unite in their efforts to promote trade, commerce and industry. The involvement of many of our attorneys in the civic activities of the region, combined with the varied backgrounds of our governmental relations professionals, enables us to convene a regional government affairs team with many facets.

INDUSTRIES SERVED

Agriculture and Rural Development
Airports
Health Care
Banking Defense
Education
Energy
Environment
Housing
Manufacturers
Maritime
Municipalities
Procurement
Tax
Telecommunications
Transit Authorities
Travel
Water

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Provided cities and local governments with legislative counsel on all federal matters regarding transportation authorizations for highway, rail, and transit issues. Additionally, actively lobbied for legislative changes to the Clean Air Act, resulting in temporary relief for City on attainment status. Provided assistance on multiple Corps of Engineer projects.

• Provided federal legislative counsel and advice to cities and local governments on securing additional infrastructure spending for rail projects. Assisted in developing and writing legislative language to designate the project as part of a new rail funding account.

• Provided lobbying advice and strategy to transit authority on three specific transit appropriation requests. Results included appropriations equal to the budget numbers requested by the transit authority each of the past three years for each of the three projects. Also, worked extensively with the US Department of Transportation on all issues surrounding the transit authority's full funding grant agreement.

• Developed first federal legislative agenda for Airport in 1998, which has produced federal appropriations from the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program in each of the following years along with congressional earmark funding for a new instrument landing system.

ABOUT OUR TEAM

Various Adams and Reese attorneys have served in high public offices. Attorneys in the firm who have previously held public office include:

• James "Jimmy" A. Hayes, former U.S. Congressman

• E. L. Henry, former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives

• Ronald J. Sholes, former District Court Judge

• Bradley Byrne, Alabama State Senator and former Alabama State Board of Education

Our attorneys and professional staff have spent significant portions of their careers working for local, state and federal governments, and they maintain close working relationships with local government officials, members of Congress, State Legislators and their staff. We have substantial experience with the legislative process and an extensive understanding of federal and state budgets, appropriations and authorization processes. We can articulate the business goal, clarify the substantive issues and steer a successful course through complicated policy processes.