Best Lawyers in America for Government Relations Practice
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State
Bruce Wyche Bannister is a partner of Bannister, Wyatt, & Stalvey, LLC and a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. Mr. Bannister graduated from Davidson College in 1995 and went on to earn his law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1998. Mr. Bannister focuses on Family Law, Eminent Domain, and Real Estate Law. He has tried cases involving Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Eminent Domain, Education Law, Residential Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Gover...
Douglas S. Chin has extensive experience in state and federal courts, from Hawaii to the United States Supreme Court, and experience in managing state and local government agencies at the highest levels. Mr. Chin focuses his practice in commercial litigation, administrative law, and government relations. Mr. Chin is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell® ; the highest rating possible, for his skill and integrity. Mr. Chin has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® list in...
Terrence O'Donnell leads Dickinson Wright’s firmwide government relations team. His focus is public policy advocacy at the Ohio statehouse, administrative law, and regulatory compliance. Terrence represents dozens of companies, trade groups, and nonprofits before the State General Assembly and executive agencies. He also collaborates with lawyers in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office to lobby the United States Congress. Terrence brings eighteen years of experience to his practice....
Michael J. Morillo focuses his practice on a range of government investigations, internal reviews, and strategic response matters, with a particular emphasis on anti-discrimination investigations and counseling. He represents a wide range of clients—including start-ups, major universities, financial institutions, and global technology companies.
A detail-oriented and dedicated practitioner, Adrienne Carrier works with government entities on a variety of matters. With a background serving on Capitol Hill, Adrienne brings a well-rounded perspective to her clients’ matters. Adrienne brings to her practice a background in legislation, having spent the first three years of her career working in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. In her roles there, she drafted bills, policy memoranda, and vote recommendations for members ...
Joshua S. Yellin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Joshua S., who practices law in Savannah, Georgia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joshua S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Laura Heusel focuses her practice on environmental diligence, environmental permitting and regulatory issues, and environmental litigation. Laura brings to her legal practice years of experience as a professional engineer in both the public and private sectors. With this, Laura applies a practical mindset to help clients navigate the technical rigors of environmental regulations and find cost-effective solutions to today’s regulatory challenges.
Jia Meeks brings his extensive legal skills and nearly a decade of Colorado political experience to craft creative and effective solutions for clients. As part of his Colorado state government relations practice, he advocates on clients’ behalf before executive branch officials, state legislators, city councilmembers and other governmental decision-makers. Jia also tracks and analyzes legislative and regulatory developments to keep clients updated on public policy issues relevant to the...
Olutola Familoni is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs. Olutola, who practices law in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Olutola is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ali A. Jessani counsels clients on privacy, cybersecurity and other regulatory risks related to data protection. He has particular experience advising companies on US state privacy compliance, including the California Privacy Rights Act and other comprehensive state privacy laws, and issues related to health privacy, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state laws regulating non-HIPAA health data. His other areas of experience include advising clients ...
Rebecca M. Scaife represents clients in government investigations, internal investigations, and a wide variety of complex litigation matters. She provides strategic counsel to clients responding to high-profile corporate crises and advises on government investigations and congressional oversight. She also conducted racial equity and civil rights audits for companies across a range of industries and has significant experience conducting sensitive internal investigations following reported alle...
Jacki L. Anderson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice. Jacki L., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jacki L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
James A. Tucker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Government Relations Practice. James A., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jarrod Carman advises clients on complex national security, defense, regulatory compliance and government contract matters, including bid protests, size protests and investigations. Mr. Carman has experience representing clients in bid protests and size protests at the Government Accountability Office, the Small Business Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals, and the Court of Federal Claims. Mr. Carman’s work has also involved defending clients in False Claims Act matters and re...
Maryam Rastegar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Education Law and Government Relations Practice. Maryam, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Maryam is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.