Best Lawyers in America for Government Relations Practice
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State
Reginald “Reg” Brown is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He has a vibrant and diverse crisis and governmental investigations practice, and regularly counsels financial institutions and other industry-leading clients facing complex and significant regulatory, enforcement and reputational matters. Reg provides investigations-related guidance, strategic counsel and crisis management assistance to a broad range of companies and senior executives c...
Gregory W. Stype is a partner in the Columbus office of Barnes & Thornburg, where he is a member of the Government Services and Finance Department. With more than 30 years of experience, Gregory devotes his practice to public and infrastructure finance and economic development. Gregory has served as counsel to state government entities, including the Ohio Public Facilities Commission, the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, as well as...
Deep relationships with local and state governments. Thrives on helping clients navigate complex redevelopment and urban renewal projects. More than 25 years of real estate law experience. Challenging, controversial and complicated land use and real estate deals are the cornerstone of Carolynne White’s practice. With more than two decades of experience, Carolynne focuses on the zoning and entitlement process as it relates to redevelopment—both infill and urban renewal. She also he...
Throughout a nearly two decade-long career as lawyer and lobbyist, Mr. Pascrell has represented government affairs clients in Trenton and Washington, DC in a diverse cross-section of sectors, including financial and insurance, health and hospital, technology, utilities, development and construction, and public entities. He has led client matters under the administration of every New Jersey governor since 1997 and in the Legislature under both Republican and Democratic control. He has also wor...
Mike McIntyre is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law and Government Relations Practice. Mike, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mike is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Melissa Kuipers Blake is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice. Melissa Kuipers, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa Kuipers is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rich Gold is a partner practicing in the areas of legislative and environmental law, emphasizing strategy development, lobbying, legislative and regulatory counseling, and creative solutions to corporate, non-profit, and governmental issues at the federal level. He is the leader of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group, which has been ranked among the top 10 law and lobby firms in Washington, D.C. by Influence magazine the last several years. Mr. Gold has been r...
Lauren represents investor-owned and municipal utilities before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), as well as public and private-sector clients in dealings with state government agencies. Lauren's experience includes general rate cases, periodic rate adjustment (tracker) proceedings, certificate of public convenience and necessity cases, preapprovals, financings, acquisitions, disputes, investigations, rulemakings and service area-related cases. In addition, Lauren represents a...
Meade Spotts's practice emphasizes real estate and environmental issues, legislative representation and lobbying, and general corporate and business law. He represents his clients' interests before the Virginia General Assembly, local and state boards, planning commissions, and agencies. He has participated in public and private trade missions to China and represents companies with interests throughout North America. His off-duty time likewise covers much of the state. Meade lives on the Jame...
As a founding member of the Gibbons Government Affairs practice, one of the premier lobbying groups in New Jersey, Mr. St. Onge brings broad based public and private sector experience. He represents or has represented a diverse group of for - profit and nonprofit clients in various industries, including construction/development, engineering, financial services/insurance, gaming, healthcare, housing, information technology, pharmaceutical, real estate/redevelopment, telecommunications, and tra...
James M. Weaver is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Gaming Law and Government Relations Practice. James M., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Newman Jackson Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Government Relations Practice, Litigation - Environmental and Water Law. Newman Jackson, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Newman Jackson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
C. David Brown II 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. C. David, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which C. David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Former Virginia Attorney General and Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Jerry Kilgore is a member of Cozen O’Connor’s State Attorneys General Practice. Jerry’s distinguished political career and experience as a litigator uniquely positions him to advise clients on important government investigations and regulatory matters, and the interplay with Attorneys General and public policy. Jerry’s experience and hands-on perspective on issues ranging from consumer protection ...
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.