Business Law | Energy & Environment | Government Relations | Labor & Employment | Litigation

Government Relations

Attorney: David K. Higgins David L. Yaussy Edward J. George Anne C. Blankenship

Robinson & McElwee has an active government relations practice representing businesses, individuals, and trade associations. Our Government Relations Department is comprised of accomplished attorney-lobbyists, including a former member of the West Virginia Legislature, and an experienced support staff.

Our West Virginia government relations practice team provides the following services: monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on state and federal legislation; developing strategic plans to promote political and legislative goals; drafting legislation and administrative regulations; lobbying; commenting on proposed regulations; and preparing public hearing testimony. The department also represents clients in government contract, regulation compliance, and permitting matters.

Robinson & McElwee’s government relations practice group represents public utilities, manufacturers, contractors, doctors, various trade associations, and real estate developers; as well as clients with interests in solid waste management, legalized gaming, charitable gaming, oil and gas, and alcohol beverages (including wine and liquor manufacturers, distributors, importers, vineyards and distillers).

For example, the firm played an important role in the drafting, lobbying, and negotiations that resulted in the following West Virginia laws:

• Solid Waste Management Act, related statutes and enabling regulations

• Limited Video Lottery Act

• Sale of Wines Act

• Medical Professional Liability Act

• Whitewater Responsibility Act

• Underground Storage Tank Act

• Hazardous Waste Emergency Response Fund Act and

• Groundwater Protection Act

Our West Virginia government relations practice attorneys have played a significant role in lobbying for and the eventual adoption of numerous environmental standards and regulations, and handled complex negotiations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the West Virginia Department of Transportation.

Robinson & McElwee lawyers are experienced lobbyists and have appeared before committees of the West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates; executive branch boards and commissions; the Nuclear Regulatory Agency; the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commission; the West Virginia Public Service Commission; the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and the West Virginia Investment Management Board.

The Government Relations Department at Robinson & McElwee is experienced at lobbying and negotiating the maze of government legislation, rulemaking, permitting, and compliance issues facing businesses in West Virginia. For more information on our West Virginia government relations practice, contact Edward J. George at ejg@ramlaw.com or 304-347-8319.