Many significant business decisions have a government or public policy component. With our broad-based government experience, Baker Botts offers more than traditional transactional and litigation services. In solving complex problems, a strong government relations capability can substantially increase the likelihood of success.
Unlike many firms, Baker Botts offers a high level of subject matter experience as part of its public policy practice. At Baker Botts, our government relations lawyers also offer substantive experience in a wide range of fields, including energy, environmental, finance, health care, homeland security, natural resources, public and private partnerships, tax, technology, trade and transportation.
At Baker Botts, clients draw upon the experiences of
A former Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury and White House Chief of Staff
The first post-9/11 Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
The General Counsel and Deputy Secretary of Transportation between September 2001 and December 31, 2004, who was intimately involved in resolving the major transportation security issues that the world has faced since 9/11
The Inspector General of the Department of Transportation between 1997 and 2006, and former Director of GAO's Transportation and Telecommunications section, who has supervised hundreds of audits and investigations of government programs and has testified before Congress several hundred times
A former General Counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission
Other Baker Botts lawyers have held high government positions in the U.S. Departments of State, Treasury, Transportation, Homeland Security and Justice, and in the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission and Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, many of our lawyers have held staff positions in congressional offices and the White House and other executive branch agencies. Baker Botts has advised several U.S. presidents and represented the Bush-Cheney campaign in Florida following the 2000 general election.
Our Washington practitioners work closely with our other offices, especially those in Texas, New York and London. The government relations professionals in our Austin and Houston offices represent industries and local governments before the legislature and executive branches of Texas government and before the administrative agencies of the Texas executive branch. Additionally, many of our Texas lawyers and professionals have worked in prominent positions in state government, including two retired Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Texas.
Legislation and Policy
The collective experience and knowledge of our government relations practitioners have proven invaluable in addressing the complex legal and public policy issues faced by our clients. That experience and knowledge shape policy development and decision making and guide the effective communication of our clients' interests.
On behalf of these clients, we:
Develop and coordinate advocacy strategies
Engage in direct advocacy with decision makers and their staffs
Monitor and report on activities
Draft and analyze legislation and proposed rules
Assist in forming and managing coalitions
Counsel clients regarding compliance with laws and regulations
Global Projects
Government's significant influence on business at all levels is a given in today's world. Virtually every significant decision affecting business, whether a merger, public-private partnership, construction project, major contract or important dispute, has a government or public policy component. All modes of transportation are regulated by the federal government. Pipelines need government approvals and extensive coordination with officials at all levels. International trade involves licenses, tariffs, government approvals and government prohibitions. Mergers and acquisitions increasingly face governmental antitrust scrutiny on a global basis. The management of political risk can make or break a project, promote or sink a merger, and otherwise deliver a victory or defeat overnight. Clients increasingly turn to law firms for more than traditional transactional and litigation services. A strong government relations capability and strategy can make the key difference in a client's success on any given project, transaction or dispute. Indeed, a good public policy strategy sets apart the world's most successful businesses.