Government Relations

Successfully defended public and private companies in actions under the federal False Claims Act, including over a half dozen declined interventions by the Department of Justice in the past two years.

Drafted the initial model conservation easement used by selected governmental organizations within the State of Georgia and has negotiated/implemented conservation easements in 11 states for major private landowners.

Provides expert witness testimony in a Fair Credit Reporting Act matters, including Chex v. MicroBilt, which made new law regarding the privacy of credit report information.

Provided ongoing advice to Senate leadership on various health policy matters.

Provided ongoing advice to the Senate Judiciary Committee on a number of policy matters.

Provide federal election law advice and FEC representation for numberous congressional candidates.

Frequently work with clients preparing their witnesses for congressional testimony.

Successfully represented clients in federal action alleging violations of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 associated with redistricting plan with allegedly retrogressive effect on racial minorities.

Prepared and submitted public comments on behalf of an international trade association for non-bank financial institutions in response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed rule to supervise debt collection agencies with annual receipts of more than $10 million.

Provided counsel and strategic advice to non-profit organization representing graduate business and management programs on international student visa issues before the U.S. Congress and Department of Homeland Security.

Provided counsel and strategic advice to the mobile amusement industry with respect to their participation in the J-1 Summer Work Travel program administered by the State Department.

Advised a publicly traded corporation regarding the potential jurisdiction of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over the operations of multiple subsidiaries. Work included assessments of whether subsidiaries were “covered persons”, whether subsidiaries may be considered to be “larger participants” subject to CFPB supervision, and authority the CFPB may exercise over the company and its subsidiaries under consumer protection statutes for which full or partial authority was transferred to the CFPB.

Drafted legislative language on behalf of a non-profit organization that provides background checks and other personnel surety solutions at chemical facilities nationwide. Outreach to Hill staff and other advocacy efforts led to the language, which was favorable to the client, ultimately being incorporated by amendment into a federal bill that passed the House.

Advised client on legal and practical implications of proposed Atlanta Sustainability Ordinance and assisted in developing strategy to lobby against adoption of the new law; strategy was successful in raising awareness of inadequacies of law resulting in rejection by the Atlanta City Council.

Represented a large consumer information company in one of the nation’s first high profile data breaches. In addition to representing the client before the Federal Trade Commission, we also advised the client on consumer breach notification issues, congressional testimony, and enhancements to the client’s internal controls.

Represented a national credit reporting system in a seven year effort to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to enhance privacy protections and identity theft prevention protections in the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA).

Led coalition of data companies working on amendments to the Drivers Privacy Protection Act.

Served as lead amicus counsel, working with the Solicitor General’s Office in a landmark Supreme Court Freedom of Information Act/privacy decision, Reporters’ Committee for Freedom of the Press v. the Department of Justice.

Provided counsel and strategic advice to the background screening industry on employment and tenant screening issues before the U.S. Congress and multiple federal agencies.

Retained by Clayton County Board of Commissioners to conduct internal investigation of county’s Finance Department.