Government Relations

Williams Mullen’s Government Relations Group represents businesses, associations and individuals in government-related actions at the state and local levels with a special focus on Virginia and North Carolina. 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.

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. In Virginia, this includes a former 24-year member of the House of Delegates and also chairman of the Courts of Justice Committee, a former attorney with the Division of Legislative Services and a former Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. In North Carolina, it includes a former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives and a former legislative staff attorney with a decade of experience lobbying for a trade association and a Fortune 500 company. 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