Contacts:
W. Michael House, Washington, D.C.

The group combines in-depth industry and regulatory knowledge with a unique understanding of the way government operates, drawing on the experience of our many lawyers with backgrounds in public service to serve clients' government affairs needs. We earned a first-tier rating in the most recent edition of Chambers USA, who noted that we are "at the forefront of government relations issues" and that "leading lobbying firms view the team as fierce competition." We are regularly included in the industry's most competitive surveys, including Legal Times' Influence 50, Washingtonian's Top Lobbyists, and The National Law Journal's Leaders of the Pack. Another key differentiator of our practice is that we take time to learn the nuances of your business, incorporating them into our strategic approach. We also provide vigorous support in the area of federal appropriations, an area in which we have been lauded by Chambers USA as "perhaps the strongest practice around."

Our work incorporates all aspects of legislative representation, including:

• developing and coordinating overall legislative strategy, tactics, and advocacy
• lobbying members of the U.S. Congress and appointed and career officials in the executive branch of the U.S. federal government, as well as their respective staffs
• drafting legislation, legislative history, and testimony
• drafting comments on proposed regulatory rules and guidance
• preparing witnesses for hearings
• testifying on behalf of clients before congressional committees
• organizing and coordinating coalitions or groups with shared interests
• developing constituent or grassroots support
• monitoring legislative activities, including hearings and markups
• advising clients regarding the status of legislation and anticipated legislative initiatives
• counseling on compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act, gift rules, and federal election laws
• lobbying administrative agencies.

Awards and Rankings

• Ranked in the top tier on a national level by Chambers USA (2009) and recognized for being at the "forefront of government relations issues."
• Repeatedly named as a "Leader of the Pack" in list of Top 25 lobbying firms by The National Law Journal.
• Mike House and John Porter named by Washingtonian magazine as two of Washington's 50 Top Lobbyists (2007).

• Bob Michel, Republican Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives
• John Porter, Chairman, U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Vice-Chair, U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export, Financing and Related Programs; Chairman, U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction
• Scott McInnis, Chairman, U.S. House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health; member, U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means and the U.S. House Resources Committee
• Candi Wolff, Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs
• Clayton Yeutter, U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture; National Chairman, Republican National Committee
• Jeanne Archibald, General Counsel to the U.S. Department of Treasury
• Lance Bultena, Counsel, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Foreign Commerce, and Tourism
• Mike Gilliland, Counsel, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee; Counsel, Senate Science, Technology and Space Subcommittee
• Reid Stuntz, Minority (Democratic) Staff Director; Chief Counsel, U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce
• Mike House, Chief of Staff to Sen. Heflin of Alabama
• Christine Warnke, Super Delegate of the Democratic Party, 2001–2009; Executive Assistant to the Secretary for the Majority, Office of Sen. Robert Byrd, then U.S. Senate Majority Leader
• Bob Kyle, Associate Director, U.S. National Security and International Affairs, Office of Management and Budget
• Jim McMillan, Counsel, U.S. Senate Republican Leadership Office; Counsel, Senator Bob Dole
• Jeff Munk, Legislative Counsel, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
• Jamie Wickett, Senior Legislative Aide, Rep. James Hayes
• Ray Calamaro, Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Policy Director to a U.S. Senator
• Kate McAuliffe, Associate Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Leader Richard A. Gephardt
• John Stanton, professional staff on what is now the House Committee on Financial Services