Government Affairs

Overview

The laws that govern citizens are constantly changing; therefore, it is important to have an attorney who can represent your needs in the government arena. Our attorneys at HBS are ready to help you understand these changing laws and to assist you by working with local, state, and federal government officials to craft good policy.

Government Affairs is a vacillating area in the practice of law: constantly changing and growing ever more complicated. At Hall Booth Smith, our Government Affairs practice stays current on global issues; federal, state and local legislation, and other government actions in order to help our clients know how to properly deal with government affairs in a timely and economical manner. As part of our continued dedication to building businesses and innovation within Georgia, HBS is now an official corporate member of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). Because our attorneys are actively involved in various areas of government, we represent our clients by providing personal, professional, and pertinent knowledge you need to make appropriate decisions concerning legislative, regulatory, and legal concerns. HBS Government Affairs also continues to serve on the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Council.

HBS attorneys focus much of our government affairs practice on regulated businesses such as utilities, energy and trade associations, telecommunication companies, health care, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. We represent clients before the Georgia General Assembly, the Public Service Commission, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the Georgia Department of Insurance, and other state commissions and agencies. HBS attorneys provide a complete array of services to our clients for all your regulatory and government affairs needs including:

• Monitoring and advocacy with regard to the budget, supplemental budget, and amendments
• Monitoring specific legislation
• Drafting legislation and amendments
• Covering or testifying at committee meetings
• Monitoring regulatory agencies
• Intervening / litigating administrative proceedings
• Interacting with legislative leaders concerning client needs

Experience

The individual involvement of our attorneys in the area of government affairs provides the strength of our practices. Our attorneys have served or currently serve in the following roles:

• Members of Georgia Chamber of Commerce (Governmental Affairs Council)
• 11th Congressional District Chairman
• Counsel, State Senate Judiciary Committee (2010 Session)
• Deputy Legislative Counsel to Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle (2008-2009)
• Members of Georgia Association of Water Professionals
• Past president of Atlanta Young Republicans
• Coverdell Leadership Institute graduates
• Retired State Senator, 12th District of Georgia
• Governor’s press secretary
• Chair of Ethics committee, Minority Leader, and Chair of Special Judiciary Committee for two terms
• County Attorney for six Georgia Counties
• City Attorney for five Georgia Cities
• Legislative Aide to Congressman from GA  9th Congressional District
• Legislative Liaison for Georgia for the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Law since 1998
• Former Special Assistant to Governor Nathan Deal
• Former General Counsel to the State Bar of Florida
• Former Majority and Minority Leader of the State Senate
• Former Fulton County Attorney
• Former Fulton County Manager
• Candidate for U.S. Congress
• Aide to Congressman Sanford Bishop
• Former Director of Local Government Relations and Intragovernmental Affairs Liaison for Governor Sonny Perdue
• Former District Attorney for the South Georgia Judicial Circuit
• General Counsel to Cobb County Republicans

Service

Our attorneys have handled the entire gamut of governmental issues our clients have encountered. Our understanding of the complexities of government affairs is evident in our handling of cases representing almost every facet of government affairs including:

• Regulated Businesses
• Energy and telecommunications utilities
• Healthcare
• Real estate
• Local government
• Insurance
• Nonprofits and trade associations
• Civil rights claims
• Permit compliance issues
• Water supply reservoirs
• Negotiations with regulatory officials
• Organization of press events and press conferences
• Governmental regulations claims
• Security protocols
• CERCLA & state environmental claims

We have served as and maintain excellent relationships with elected officials, appointed officials, and agency staffs in order to provide expertise and counsel in specific areas to better assist  you in your endeavors.

Outcomes

With professional integrity and skill, HBS has successfully served many entities with their governmental issues. Some of our successful outcomes include:

• Successfully resolved a number of civil rights claims filed against the City of Atlanta resulting from arrests and security protocols (including those taken by the Department of Homeland Security) occurring at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
• Testified before numerous legislative committees
• Successfully presenting Senate Bill for debate & passage before applicable House Committee on behalf of Committee Chairman
• Briefed the state senate leadership on pending legislation
• Provided analysis on hundreds of bills
• Successfully represented clients in front of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division
• Successfully represented MEAG Power, Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia, BFI, banking and financial entities and others before the Georgia General Assembly, Congress and the Georgia Public Service Commission
• Have been instrumental in the development and passage of such major pieces of legislation as:
  • Revised Article 9, the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2003
  • The Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act and the Uniform Athletes Agents Act
  • Revised Article 7; Single – factor Corporate Income on tax
  • The creation of the Cities of Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, and Milton
  • Anti – metals theft legislation
  • Legislation seeking to shore-up and solve Georgia’s water shortage.
  • Tax incentives for renewable energy
  • Conservation use valuation easement reform