Government and Public Affairs:
An Experienced Vermont Firm with Practical Solutions

DRM’s Government and Public Affairs Group helps clients navigate the often-daunting world where private enterprise and the public interest intersect. From the Statehouse to the employee break room to the worldwide television news, effective communication is essential for any company that needs public acceptance to succeed. DRM’s Government and Public Affairs Group is staffed with experienced lobbyists who can provide thoughtful strategies for addressing public policy issues in the Vermont Statehouse, administrative agencies and the news media. Public affairs professionals provide the practical advice that clients need to handle significant public relations matters.

DRM’s Government and Public Affairs professionals help the state’s critical industries to achieve key objectives involving government, the press and the public

Our success stories include:

• guiding a nuclear power provider through a public process for approval of on-site storage of spent nuclear fuel rods.
• working with the petroleum industry, the legislature and the Attorney General’s Office to craft a workable and fair petroleum price gouging law.
• successfully lobbying to create a stable funding source for adult education programs in Vermont.
• helping a major telecommunications provider to defeat legislation that would have created new rules governing the company’s proposed purchase of a Vermont business.
• successfully advocating for legislation that created immunity for workers’ compensation insurers that provide safety inspections.
• working closely with a variety of health advocacy organizations to obtain passage of legislation that prohibits smoking in bars.

DRM’s Government Affairs professionals provide sound legal and strategic advice when addressing public policy questions in the legislative arena

DRM’s five-member Government Affairs team knows the legislative process and the people who make a difference. Our experienced lobbying team provides full-time Statehouse coverage, helps legislative clients monitor the developments that affect them, and helps them to have an impact on key decisions. Our services include:

• lobbying by senior public policy advisors who understand the legislative process.
• full-time coverage of legislative committees, news conferences, floor debates and Statehouse strategies.
  
• a weekly Statehouse report that is regarded as the best in Montpelier
• advice and counsel based upon years of successful representation of a broad range of clients and industries.
• access to decision makers with meticulous attention to high ethical standards.
• an automated, password protected, client-focused bill tracking system with up-to-the-minute tracking of key bills.

DRM’s Government Affairs Team provides gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Vermont General Assembly whenever the legislature is in session.

DRM’s Public Affairs professionals provide sound advice in crisis situations, manage high-profile public issues, and plan for strategic communication

When the situation calls for careful communication, DRM’s Public Affairs professionals help clients to formulate a solid communication plan, identify key audiences, prepare press releases, talking points and information packets, arrange webcasts and news conferences and handle media calls. DRM’s Public Affairs team has:

• assisted a telecommunication provider in implementing a public relations strategy to gain acceptance among opinion leaders in Vermont.
• obtained government and public acceptance for the acquisition of a major Vermont utility by an out-of-country buyer.
• helped create a public policy environment that allowed a Canadian energy provider to acquire and operate a series of hydro-electric dams in the state with the state itself as an opposing bidder.
• helped a long-time manufacturer of outdoor sporting equipment and apparel announce a move out of state;
• managed communication for a large printing operation announcing a closing and relocation;
• advised a local branch of an international manufacturer on public relations strategies surrounding a chemical release;
• assisted a large Canadian company with strategic communication surrounding the acquisition of a well-known Vermont utility;
• advised a small business client on crisis communication regarding a fatal accident on its property.

Our business-minded professionals also know when to reach out for quality services provided by third party vendors to support and enhance a communication plan.

Based in Vermont and New Hampshire, connected throughout the world

As the exclusive member firm for Vermont of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms, DRM has immediate entrée to more than 20,000 lawyers in 160 prominent and successful law firms with 560 offices in 99 countries. The firm’s association with Lex Mundi gives DRM’s clients the added benefits of:

• access to local market knowledge and experience
• relevant industry expertise
  
• sound business and language skills
• responsive service

World-class talent at an excellent value

DRM’s New England location attracts lawyers and legal professionals with world-class talent who choose high-quality lifestyles in the smaller cities and towns of Vermont and New Hampshire. For DRM’s clients, that means you get the personal attention and value associated with a smaller law firm, without sacrificing talent, depth or quality.

To explore how DRM’s Public and Government Affairs group can help you deal with public and government affairs or crisis communication, contact Practice Group co-chairs John Hollar and Joe Choquette at (802) 225-5500.

A full-service New England law firm

Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC is a full-service, regional law firm. As clients’ needs expand into other areas of law, the firm’s wide range of legal specialties and commitment to vigorous collaboration across practice areas can provide seamless, cost-effective legal representation.