Government & Election Law

The bustling intersection of law, public policy, and government action can create opportunities — or cause challenges for — a wide range of clients. Hemenway & Barnes provides counsel on how to navigate that ever-changing terrain.

Our government and administrative law practice includes the representation of businesses, nonprofits, elected officials, and private clients who are affected by a host of regulatory and land use issues. We also have represented state, municipal, and quasi-governmental entities as they craft, and later defend, their respective approaches to a variety of governance issues. And we advise candidates and elected officials on ethics, campaign finance, and election-related issues.

Our clients rely on our counsel to:

• Understand and, where appropriate, challenge regulatory and sub-regulatory initiatives.
• Defend or challenge government agency action in judicial and administrative proceedings, including eligibility and licensing determinations.
• Navigate governmental programs, grants, and incentives, including private-public-partnerships.
• Evaluate and respond to unfair or discriminatory taxes and fees.
• Address zoning, permitting, and land-use issues.
• Draft and support ballot initiatives through the state certification process.
• Advise on election law and campaign finance issues
• Advise nonprofits on political participation, lobbying, and state ballot initiatives.
• Understand the unique aspects of interacting with government agencies, including public records and freedom of information laws.

It is our general philosophy that matters involving the public sector benefit from a constructive, problem-solving approach. Nevertheless, we are always prepared to advocate persuasively in a court or administrative forum should the need arise.

Because the practice of government law is so dependent on the needs of our clients and the circumstances in which they operate, we work closely with them to develop a finely tailored approach.

For more information on how we assist businesses with navigating government agencies and regulations, please see H&B’s Government Relations and Regulatory Compliance practice.