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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

At Norman Hanson DeTroy, we understand that more law is made in the Legislature, the Congress, and through agency rulemaking than in the courthouse. Changing the law is often more cost-effective for our clients than litigating existing law. Our Government Relations Practice Group represents the firm’s clients before the Maine Legislature, the U.S. Congress, and the various state and federal agencies. Our extensive experience in Augusta and Washington, D.C., allows us to creatively influence legislative and regulatory processes in order to ensure that our clients’ interests are protected and that their goals are achieved.

Our attorneys serve as legislative counsel for many Maine businesses, trade associations, municipalities and individuals, as well as Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, and national trade associations. We combine our lobbying expertise with representation of clients in rulemaking and administrative agency adjudicatory proceedings, such as before the Public Utilities Commission. The diversity of our practice stems from our experience representing clients before all of the joint standing committees of the legislature and most of the regulatory bodies of state government. We also have extensive experience representing candidates, political parties and political action committees and provide trusted advice regarding campaign finance issues. In addition, we offer expertise in the area of government contract procurement.

We strive to provide our clients with accurate and comprehensive analyses of the legal, political, regulatory, business, and public relations issues that affect their interests. We know the decision-makers in government and have well-earned reputations as hard-working, straight-shooting advocates who get good results. As part of a multi-service law firm, we create opportunities and solve problems through a coordinated, team-based approach that draws upon the expertise of members of our other practice groups.

Ensuring that our clients’ interests are well-represented requires a daily presence in the capitol. Maine’s initiated referenda process, term limits, publicly-funded elections, and open legislative bill filing processes have created an environment for organizations hoping to establish legislative and regulatory branch heads. Achieving that goal requires a comprehensive understanding of the interconnections of the variables affecting government, and we have it.