PUBLIC POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE ACTION: DESCRIPTION

Government Affairs

Our practice fosters a productive working relationship between business and government. Our team consists of strategic counselors and effective advocates at the intersection of private enterprise and public policy. We produce practical results for a diverse range of public health clients who seek to influence government policy and decision-making and/or do business with the government.

Our government affairs work is guided by our extensive knowledge of, and experience in, government and politics. Our Government Affairs team members have served in a variety of positions throughout the government, as high-level officials and as procurement attorneys in various federal agencies.  This experience proves particularly valuable in navigating our clients through the various, and often intertwining, channels of government.

Legislative Action

Many of our attorneys and public policy professionals specialize in legislative action and have held senior positions in the executive and legislative branches of federal, state and local government. This experience provides a unique perspective that is often critical in resolving issues involving government. 

Our legislative action services include:

• Federal and state legislative assistance including monitoring, drafting and advocacy of legislation, counseling about legislative issues, and developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to achieve a client’s legislative objectives
• Federal legislative appropriations representation and assistance
• Testimony before legislative and executive bodies
• Assistance in increasing a client’s visibility in the federal, state and local governmental/political community  

FDA/HealthCare Policy

Based on substantial government and legislative experience, our attorneys provide strategic advice to clients on legislation and regulations related to FDA regulated products, including, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, food, veterinary drugs and pet food.  Our qualifications uniquely situate MLA to represent our clients on issues such as drug safety, food bioterrorism (food safety), FDA regulation of tobacco and other current issues.  MLA attorneys also are dedicated advocates for healthcare policy, including those policies related to bioterrorism.

MLA maintains strong relationships with officials in regulatory agencies and our attorneys and public policy professionals have extensive experience in navigating the legislative and regulatory process as well as navigating regulatory agencies, including Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Center for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  We are well versed in translating health-based legislation and regulations so clients can understand how they impact their businesses.  MLA is positioned to stay ahead of the curve to anticipate, and to advocate on behalf of our clients, legislative initiatives related to FDA and healthcare policy before Congress.