Adams and Reese Ranks First Among Top Government Affairs Firms

Nashville, TN, September 23, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Southern Political Report released its list of “The South’s Top Government Affairs Firms and Lobbyists.” The law firm of Adams and Reese placed #1 in the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee and also ranked in the top five in Mississippi and South Carolina.

Adams and Reese has a long-standing reputation as one of the region’s prominent Governmental Relations firms now with 16 offices in 15 markets across the Southern United States and Washington, D.C.

According to Adams and Reese Managing Partner and long-time governmental relations lawyer, Gif Thornton, “Adams and Reese is honored to be recognized atop these rankings in five states. It speaks to the hard work and dedication of our entire Governmental Relations Team, working together to build a strong presence throughout our regional footprint. We also appreciate the trust our clients place in us to advance their interests before state and local governments all over the South.”

Southern Political Report states that their rankings of “The South’s Top Government Affairs Firms and Lobbyists” are based on the results of an online survey sent to lobbyists and government affairs specialists across 13 Southern states.  In addition, top lawyers and lobbyists were consulted to make sure the rankings for each Southern state were as comprehensive and accurate as possible.

In Alabama.

Mobile Office Partner in Charge, Britton Bonner stated, “This distinction as #1 in “The Top Government Affairs Firms and Lobbyists” in the state reflects the caliber of attorneys and lobbyists that are a part of our governmental relations team.” Bonner, who serves as the Economic Development practice team leader for the firm, focuses his practice on business growth, federal and state governmental affairs, and economic development, said that other Alabama team members contributing to its success include former Alabama State Representative Mark Gaines, former state Attorney General candidate Giles Perkins and Mobile County Attorney, Jay Ross.

Bonner continued, “Governmental affairs and economic development go hand-in-hand in ensuring the continued growth and economic diversity in our state. Jay has negotiated economic development projects representing over a billion dollars of investments in Alabama.  Giles is a well-known political pundit and leading lawyer in Birmingham who is recognized for his accomplishments, working at the intersection of government and business. Mark helps lead all efforts in Montgomery and is a known commodity throughout the state in the governmental relations arena having served four terms in the Alabama House of Representatives and as a Probate Judge for Jefferson County.  Our team approach works. And it's nice to be recognized for that fact." 

In Louisiana.

C. Kevin Hayes, Partner and Adams and Reese Governmental Relations Team Leader, says, “The recognition as #1 in Louisiana on “The South’s Top Government Affairs Firms and Lobbyists” list evidences the hard work and relationships by our Governmental Relations Team beginning with the founding of our Governmental Relations practice by former speaker of the House, E.L. “Bubba” Henry, joining the firm in 1987. Bubba remains as the “dean” of our Governmental Relations practice and still walks the halls of the capitol daily when in session.  The team of Bubba, Robert Wooley (former Commissioner of Insurance for the state of Louisiana) Rob Rieger, Tom Clark, Chris Coulon, Charles Castille (former undersecretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals), Alisha Duhon and myself, along with other firm members whose practices overlap into the Governmental Relations arena, allow Adams and Reese the ability to pull the best player off the bench for our clients’ specific needs and their success.”

In Tennessee.

Thornton continued, “All credit to Dale Allen, Brad Lampley and Holly McDaniel, along with our administrator Brooke Ponder.  They are an incomparable team.  I should add, also, that our group today stands on the shoulders of Sam Bartholomew and Bill Bruce, who founded this practice over 20 years ago.  Finally, we are grateful to our clients, many of whom have been with us for many years.  It is our privilege to advance their interests before the state and local governments of Tennessee.”  

Governmental Relations Partner, Brad Lampley follows Thornton’s statement adding, “It is humbling and gratifying to be ranked as the top governmental relations law firm in Tennessee.  Our team is blessed with a great group of clients, as well as valued relationships with public officials, and none of the recognition would be possible without either one.”

In Mississippi.

According to Gordon “Sandy” Sanford, who leads the firm’s Mississippi Governmental Relations practice, “It is great to be recognized on ‘The Top Governmental Affairs Firms and Lobbyists’ list by Southern Political Report. Sanford continued, “Obviously key relationships within Mississippi state government are important to opening doors for our clients. But access and 'who you know' is only one part of our success formula. We also focus on providing substantive subject matter expertise on our engagements, so that the state decision makers are not simply asked to trust us, but may rely on us for legal research, analysis and data that builds credibility and demonstrates that our clients are acting in the best interest of the state or a particular agency.".

Adams and Reese is a multidisciplinary law firm with nearly 300 attorneys and advisors strategically located in 16 offices in 15 markets throughout the southern United States and Washington, D.C.  American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation's top law firms - "The Am Law 200". The National Law Journal also includes the firm on the "NLJ 350" list of the nation's largest law firms.

Adams and Reese has offices in the cities of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA; Birmingham and Mobile, AL; Columbia, SC; Houston, TX; Jackson, MS; Memphis and Nashville, TN; Jacksonville, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Tampa and Tallahassee, FL; and Washington, D.C.