Government Affairs & Public Policy

Headquartered in the nation's capital, Steptoe's Government Affairs & Public Policy Group helps clients navigate the challenges posed by the interplay of laws, public policy, regulation, competition, and economic trends across the fields regulated by the federal government, state and local jurisdictions, and the European Union.

With a balanced, bipartisan, and broadly based government affairs practice, we are uniquely qualified to ensure that our clients receive the best substantive and political resources in addressing their public policy concerns. Our professionals have decades of experience working in and with the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

The three core hallmarks of our government affairs practice set us apart from any other firm: substantive depth, strong relationships, and an integrated approach.

Substantive Depth. In many ways Steptoe approaches legislative advocacy like a trial; we immerse ourselves in the minutiae of the matter at hand, prepare the case, and then argue that case in halls, offices, and committee rooms on Capitol Hill and the executive branch. Our deep experience allows us to enhance our broad understanding of the substantive technical issues pertaining to our clients' interests with intimate insight into complex legislative and regulatory processes. This methodology makes our firm a strong and effective representative of clients' interests before all levels of government.

Strong Relationships. As long-time participants in the political process, the members of our team have developed deep relationships with individuals at all levels of the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. With long-term client relationships, we also better understand our clients' business goals. To the benefit of our clients, this familiarity on both sides positions us to foresee potential legislative threats and take advantage of potential legislative opportunities ahead of the crowd. Members of Congress and their staffs identify us as part of our clients’ teams and, when pertinent issues arise, involve us at the outset. Our clients retain us long term because they trust our experience and insight and value our dedication.

Integrated Approach. We know well that the primary goal of the client is to achieve desired result wherever and however is the most effective and efficient. To achieve this, our government affairs team leverages the experience and expertise of more than 500 Steptoe lawyers every day – lawyers who are experienced in virtually all matters affecting businesses and trade associations that might come before a legislative or regulatory body. Our team spearheads our clients’ strategic planning, legislative, and communications efforts as an integrated approach designed to achieve their business goals. The varied perspectives and resources at our disposal within the firm ensure that the legal, political, and practical facets of a client’s issues are carefully considered and balanced against one another.

We counsel clients in connection with the full spectrum of legal and public policy matters, including public relations and other strategic campaigns, regulatory efforts, overall legislative affairs management, and advising on specific initiatives, with particular experience in the following areas:

• Antitrust
• Appropriations
• Campaign finance & political law
• Congressional oversight and investigations
• Derivatives markets regulation
• E-commerce/Internet
• Energy
• Environment & natural resources
• ERISA, labor & employment
• EU law
• Exempt organizations
• Financial product and capital markets regulation
• Financial services
• Healthcare
• Higher Education
• Homeland security & defense
• Infrastructure finance
• Insurance
• Intellectual property
• International trade
• Municipal finance
• Privacy & data protection
• Tax
• Telecommunications
• Trade associations 
• Transportation & Infrastructure

Policymakers hold us in high regard as an effective, ethical, and professional advocacy group. While we work aggressively to accomplish a client's objectives, we also have a strict commitment to ethics in government and to playing by the book. Because we are lawyers as well as policy advocates, our clients know that we fully comprehend the legal and ethical considerations that govern the business of legislative and regulatory advocacy, and that we will adhere to both the letter and the spirit of the law.