Government Relations

Email this page

Hodgson Russ maintains a powerful Government Relations Practice Group to give our clients the knowledge and access they need to help achieve their objectives, whether they involve ratifying, defeating, or revising pending legislation or regulations; obtaining financial assistance for new or expanding projects; or promoting government agencies’ use of client products or services.The Hodgson Russ team has close, bipartisan relationships at all levels of government, from town halls to state capitals to the federal government. Teaming this access and experience with Hodgson Russ’s creative, client-centered culture gives our clients an influential, effective advocate in the halls of government.

The Hodgson Russ Government Relations Practice Group works to address clients’ problems through legislative or administrative action. We are familiar with evaluating clients’ issues, and we understand the procedures for dealing with these issues. Our attorneys have counseled clients on a wide range of governmental issues, including New York and Florida matters; federal, state, and local taxation issues; banking and finance matters; regulatory obligations; government actions; appropriation and budget issues; international trade and commerce; and regulatory and legislative strategies. We consult with officials; draft legislation, rules, and regulations; and advance proposals through contact with appropriate governmental bodies. We also assist clients by monitoring matters of specific interest and informing our clients as new issues arise, before decisions are finalized, thereby creating access to the process. We provide this assistance to clients in a wide spectrum of industries, including advertising, banking, defense, e-commerce, energy, entertainment, health care, information services, law enforcement, natural resources, nonprofit, publishing, technology,
telecommunications, and transportation, and we also assist individuals.

Our clients have access to attorneys practicing in all major areas of law. From economic development to tax policy to environmental issues, from export control to health care reimbursement formulas, and from patent and trademark issues to products liability and procurement rules, Hodgson Russ attorneys are thoroughly equipped to advance clients’ interests.

Selected Successes

• Hodgson Russ attorneys recently lobbied successfully for the benefit of a client for enactment of legislation that changed the taxation of subsidiary capital.
• Another client profited from successful Hodgson Russ lobbying efforts that led to enactment of two items of tax legislation related to sales and use of equipment.
• Recently Hodgson Russ attorneys have lobbied successfully on behalf of clients that include the nation’s largest natural gas pipeline company, a nonprofit health insurer, a British investment firm, and one of the world’s leading document management technology and services enterprises.
• Our attorneys lobbied against changes on real estate investment trusts, successfully holding changes back for several years.
• Hodgson Russ also recently lobbied against increased taxation on a subsidiary corporation of an international financial conglomerate.
• Past projects have included legislative and regulatory changes for printers and publishers, information service providers, banks, the securities industry, other financial service providers, fulfillment companies, temporary help companies, developers, the real estate industry, casino developers, gasoline and tobacco retailers, and many others.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Paul R. Comeau
716.848.1424 pcomeau@hodgsonruss.com
1540 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, New York 10036

Mr. Comeau has more than 35 years of experience assisting clients with their New York State and City tax requirements, including by effectively lobbying on their behalf. He is a current member of the New York State Tax Commissioner’s Advisory Council and the New York State Tax Tribunal Advisory Group and is co-chair of the New York State Business Council Tax Committee and of the Multistate Tax Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Tax Section. Mr. Comeau has served as chair of the New York Tax Matters Committee and Tax Tribunal Subcommittee, co-chair of the Interstate Taxation Committee, and co-chair of the Sales Tax Committee, all of which are in the New York State Bar Association’s Tax Section.

Christopher L. Doyle
716.848.1458 cdoyle@hodgsonruss.com
The Guaranty Building, 140 Pearl Street, Suite 100, Buffalo, NY 14202

Mr. Doyle is the leader of Hodgson Russ’s State & Local Tax Practice Group. He has been a key figure in several lobbying campaigns for or against specific tax law changes. Mr. Doyle is past chair of the Taxation Committee of the Bar Association of Erie County and a past instructor of tax practice and procedure at the University of Buffalo School of Management. Articles on New York taxation authored or co-authored by Mr. Doyle have appeared in numerous tax, accounting, and legal publications, and he is contributing editor to New York Tax Highlights. He is a frequent speaker for a number of tax and business groups, including the Foundation for Accounting Education, which he serves ­­­as one of the organization's featured lecturers.

Robert J. McLaughlin
518.433.2421   rmclaughlin@hodgsonruss.com
677 Broadway, Suite 301, Albany, New York 12207

Mr. McLaughlin has 25 years of experience representing public-sector entities. As general counsel for the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, he negotiated contracts on behalf of local municipalities throughout the state. As a past director of the New York Lottery, he served as a member of the cabinet for two New York governors. He has extensive experience as a former state counsel with procurements and has negotiated dozens of contracts with the Offices of the Attorney General and the State Comptroller. As a former director of Grant Thornton, he worked with state and local governments throughout the United States.

Michael B. Risman
716.8481291 mrisman@hodgsonruss.com
The Guaranty Building, 140 Pearl Street, Suite 100, Buffalo, NY 14202

Mr. Risman has more than 30 years of experience representing public sector entities in a wide variety of matters. He served as corporation counsel for the City of Buffalo from 1997 to 2006. In that capacity, he was chief counsel for the City of Buffalo, Buffalo City School District, Buffalo Sewer Authority, Buffalo Water Board, and Buffalo Water Finance Authority. Mr. Risman has advised local governments and public officials on a wide array of municipal legal issues and has successfully litigated cases on many municipal law topics. He has a keen understanding of the problems facing municipal chief executive officers and how to advise private individuals and corporations who are in need of counsel to assist them with municipal matters and disputes.

A. Joseph Scott, III
518.465.2333 ascott@hodgsonruss.com
677 Broadway, Suite 301, Albany, New York 12207

Mr. Scott has practiced in the area of industrial development agency finance, public authority finance, and municipal and school district finance since graduation from law school in 1983. He has been a panelist at the annual Bond Attorneys Workshop sponsored by the National Association of Bond Lawyers and is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and the New York State Economic Development Council.

Daniel A. Spitzer
716.848.1420 dspitzer@hodgsonruss.com
The Guaranty Building, 140 Pearl Street, Suite 100, Buffalo, NY 14202

Mr. Spitzer concentrates his practice in a variety of issues involving real estate development and municipal affairs. He regularly counsels municipal clients on budgeting, leasing, environmental, zoning, assessment, financial, and other matters. Mr. Spitzer’s litigation experience includes tax assessment, land use, and financial matters. He assists developers and communities in development projects, including obtaining financial assistance and complying with historic preservation guidelines. Mr. Spitzer has successfully represented clients in local governmental and judicial forums, including cases involving local zoning and development decisions. His practice involves numerous renewable energy projects work in areas concerning the valuation of property. Mr. Spitzer has recently been interviewed on a number of radio and television news shows discussing municipal law.

James M. Wadsworth
716.848.1230 jwadsworth@hodgsonruss.com
The Guaranty Building, 140 Pearl Street, Suite 100, Buffalo, NY 14202

Mr. Wadsworth is chair of the largest private charitable foundation in Western New York, the John R. Oishei Foundation, and is a director of Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, a private sector organization dedicated to promoting business growth in the Western New York and Southern Ontario, Canada, region. Mr. Wadsworth has chaired and served on the committees to elect many candidates to office in New York State and Western New York, including chairing successful campaigns for Edward V. “Ned” Regan as New York State Comptroller and Erie County Executive. In addition, he is a former vice chair and commissioner of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.