A legal client’s best interests are sometimes best served if their attorney can provide government relations services as an area of practice. An attorney with experience in government relations can help a client have voice when legislation may impact their business. This area of practice involves representing a client’s interest before officials in the executive branch of state government, state agencies and state legislatures at hearings or informal meetings. It also involves establishing and maintaining connections with government officials. An attorney who practices government relations may often advise government officials on important current issues. A government relations attorney should have experience working inside government, but should also have experience in business.
Government relations attorneys are involved in regulatory issues, zoning and licensure issues. They may represent clients in many areas of administrative law. Many state agencies conduct administrative hearings on specific cases. Decisions made in these hearings can be appealed to a court of law, but making sure that a client’s interests are represented at administrative hearings can often make the most efficient use of legal fees. Obtaining favorable decisions at administrative hearings can reduce or eliminate the need to go to court. Likewise, working with county or municipal agencies in their dealings with state governments can often result in beneficial arrangements for local businesses. This means overall less money spent by these local businesses on legal fees to deal with unfavorable arrangements.
Elaine Schwarz has vast experience in government relations. She has worked in local, state and federal government agencies, but has also represented private sector interests before government agencies. Early in her legal career, Ms. Schwartz was an attorney with the Federal Reserve. She also facilitated real estate investment transactions as an attorney for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Ms. Schwartz currently represents District 99, the Ft. Lauderdale area, in the Florida House of Representatives. She sponsored legislation that was enacted into law her first term in the Florida House of Representatives. She considers defeat of three particular bills among her accomplishments. Elaine Schwartz has a deep understanding of the workings of government, as well as business experience and connections with government officials.