Venable

Venable LLP is a Washington D.C. law firm that describes itself as having lawyers "practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and government affairs." 

Venable's Lobbying
On its website Venable boasts that members of its "legislative group have served in Congress, been appointed to serve as officials in federal departments and/or agencies, worked as congressional staff members, or campaigned on behalf of political candidates. Their background and experience are an invaluable resource to clients, who seek to better understand and deal with the federal bureaucracy and Capitol Hill."

It states that it's staff can help clients with "every aspect of the legislative process, including preparing and guiding legislation; drafting committee report language; preparing witnesses for Congressional hearings; and testifying before Congressional Committees on behalf of our clients. In addition, our group offers counsel in administrative and legislative hearings; rulemaking and regulatory proceedings; and political, election and campaign law."

It also boasts that can help ensure funding for clients pet projects as its staff "bring strong relationships with members of the Appropriations Committees and the relevant authorizers, key members of Congress, and congressional staff. These relationships combined with extensive experience enable our attorneys to identify applicable funds and garner support to appropriate those funds."

Some of its campaigns, Venable's states, include:


 * Represented a coalition of real estate groups in a successful effort to win passage of class action reform legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
 * Blocked adverse action from being taken against a U.S. subsidiary of a foreign company that provides services to the U.S. military.
 * Secured Senate passage of legislation to repeal restrictions on public utilities.

Working for the Philippine Government
In a report for the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Malou Mangahas revealed that in late July 2005, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo entered into a $75,000 per month  contract for lobbying services with Venable, a Washington D.C. law firm. 

The contract (see link below) specifies that Venable's work will include "securing grants and congressional earmarks for Charter change." Mangahas notes that Venable will also lobby for "Philippines re-inclusion in the credit facilities of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, secure a Philippine credit ratings upgrade in the US Eximbank, 'create a capability enhancement program for the Armed Forces' and acquire up to $800 million in credit under the U.S. Defense Loan Guarantee program, and 'achieve a similar upgrade program' for the Philippine National Police." 

The chairman of the Philippine Senate committee on ways and means, Senator Ralph Recto, defended the contract. "Lobbying is a necessity, not a luxury," he told the Manila Standard Today.

Clients

 * Republic of the Philippines

Contact Details
Web: http://www.venable.com