Lobbying & Public Policy

Bricker Graydon has played a significant role in public policy, advocating hundreds for businesses, trade associations, public entities, and organizations at the local, state, and federal levels. Our team has counseled clients of all sizes, helping them to optimize opportunities and overcome obstacles while leveraging the political system in all three branches of government. We draw on our firsthand knowledge of even the most complex components of developing and influencing legislation to guide our clients in building a sound government affairs strategy.

Bricker Graydon’s Government Relations group distinguishes itself in the following ways:

• Our lawyer-lobbyist team includes a bipartisan mix of former chiefs of staff to the Ohio Senate, former General Assembly staffers, and former senior staff members in the Ohio Attorney General’s and Auditor of State’s offices. Several members of our group have also worked on the staffs of members of the U.S. Congress.
• Our lawyer/lobbyists approach projects and clients with a substance-first mentality. We leverage our collective training, relationship-building, and experience to devise and execute unique strategies for each client.
• We represent over 30 clients before the Ohio General Assembly, state agencies, and local governmental entities.
  • Longtime government relations clients include the Association of Ohio Life Insurance Companies, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, the Ohio Association of Physician Assistants, and the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council.
  • We monitor legislation impacting land use, local government, broadband, and tax policy on behalf of the Ohio Economic Development Association and the Ohio Rural Development Alliance, consisting of the Appalachian Local Development Districts and other key regional stakeholders.
  • We closely monitor legislation and administrative rules that impact electric generation markets or the siting and construction of natural gas-fired power plants and renewable energy projects for clients like the Ohio Independent Power Producers and Avangrid Renewables.
• We work on a bipartisan basis to ensure that your interests are known and respected by elected and appointed officials of both parties.
• Our firm’s principal office is located directly across the street from the Statehouse, allowing our attorneys to spend many hours with legislators.

Coalition Building

Our team has vast experience growing and managing coalitions to achieve client objectives. Bridging stakeholders across broad spectrums and perspectives creates diverse coalitions, which can be critical for success. Our team regularly works with business entities, labor organizations, environmental advocates, and community leaders. Through our collective networks, our team can put you in front of the right people and groups to grow your coalition and move your agenda forward. 

Compliance

Having participated in the legislative process for decades, we have established trust, respect, and an ethical reputation among lawmakers and their staff. We continuously coach our clients on issues related to ethics and lobbying compliance, and a significant part of our substantive legal practice is focused on these areas.

Legislative Representation

Our team focuses on effectively educating members of the General Assembly, state agencies, and the Governor’s administration about client interests and concerns. Building and strengthening bi-partisan relationships in the General Assembly is a crucial component of this legislative work, and we will help you connect with key legislators in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle. In addition to making new connections, we will help you continue to develop and leverage existing legislator relationships with your leadership. We will also work with you to grow and develop relationships with members of the Governor’s administration to create a legislative, regulatory, and legal environment to support your needs best.

Local Government Engagement

Our team members have experience at all levels of government, including local government. This understanding helps us represent clients before local governments. Our team is dedicated to growing and maintaining a network of local government contacts. Moreover, our team leverages other attorneys’ local government contacts and client relationships to increase the available network of contacts that clients can utilize. By coordinating with our Public Sector team, Bricker Graydon has the connections and tools to represent your interests effectively across Ohio.

Reporting & Communication

Our team will routinely provide information regarding all legislative and rulemaking developments of concern. Our attorneys monitor floor, committee, and caucus activities daily for bill introductions and amendments that could affect your operations. We regularly meet with House and Senate members, staff, and administration officials to gather information and intelligence on pending policy issues and issues under consideration for future development. We prepare regular legislative reports, including in-person presentations and written updates, and provide real-time updates as issues of interest to you become known. We also offer our clients legislative tracking reports and administrative agency rule summaries.

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