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Government Relations & Lobbying

The firm's holistic approach to government relations and lobbying encompasses both the legislative and executive branches, as well as an adjunct to the traditional role of lawyers within the judicial branch.  As attorney-lobbyists, lawyers offer legal expertise and have the ability to appear before administrative agencies and courts. Steptoe & Johnson represents clients before state agencies, legislative committees, and the West Virginia Legislature, and provides government relations services on issues such as economic development, energy, environmental issues, and health care. The group's work includes issue advocacy, bill drafting, and in-depth review. Lawyers have significant experience in dealing with government officials at the local, state, and federal levels. The firm's government relations work conforms to the highest ethical standards as defined by the West Virginia Governmental Ethics Act and is sensitive to conflicts of interest.

Representative Experience

  • Advised various state programs, departments, universities and other agencies on how to pass major program legislation
  • Served as Administrative Law Judge for the Kentucky Parole Board, adjudicating allegations of parole violations against released offenders
  • Drafted legislation on behalf of a Fortune 500 energy client which clarified the requirements for notification of landowners in connection with development of coal bed methane development situations and prepared implementation guidelines and procedures for the client to use under the new legislation
  • Represented medical association in reviewing and drafting legislative proposals and initiative petitions on health care related issues, as well a serving on work groups to draft and/or revise administrative rules proposed by various health care related boards and agencies
  • Represented commercial developer in the drafting of legislative amendments to economic development laws
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Resources to the team 

  • Former West Virginia Development Office oversight board chair
  • Former Secretary of Tax & Revenue Department
  • Former legal counsels to Governors Underwood and Rockefeller, Senator Robert C. Byrd and former U.S. Senate majority leader, George Mitchell
  • Former political party / campaign chairs
  • Former U.S. Attorney
  • Former clerk for the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
  • Former State Ethics Commission member
  • Former Deputy Director of the West Virginia Human Rights Commission
  • Former Director of Public Division and General Counsel, West Virginia Secretary of State's Office

Coalition Building
The group uses extensive contacts with various business and economic development organizations to build additional support for clients' legislative positions.

Media Relations
The group's members help clients write op-eds and place stories in strategic media to build support for their positions before the administration and legislature
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Areas of Concentration


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    Recent Articles & Publications
    Carte Goodwin Named to United States Senate by West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin,
    July 16, 2010
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    Manchin Proposes Judicial Reforms,
    January 20, 2010
    more...