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Government Relations

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When governments act—or react—we all feel the results. Changes in the law affect both individuals and businesses. New regulations often mean the difference between success and failure for businesses ranging from the smallest enterprise to the largest multinational corporation. Budget funding — federal, state, and local — creates both peril and opportunity for Hodgson Russ clients. Knowing how the process works and having the access to participate in the process provide a distinct advantage. For these reasons, Hodgson Russ maintains a powerful government relations team—to give our clients the knowledge and access they need to make sure their voices are heard when governments act.

The Hodgson Russ team has close, bipartisan relationships with contacts 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 a powerful and effective advocate in the halls of government. Our team of government relations lawyers offers extensive knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes and issues and key relationships with government decision makers. These capabilities help us achieve positive results for our clients in an array of governmental matters.

Meeting government relations challenges

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. 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 client interest and informing our clients as new issues arise, before decisions are finalized, thereby creating access to the process. This group’s attorneys represent clients in a wide spectrum of industries, including banking, defense, e-commerce, energy, health care, law enforcement, natural resources, nonprofit organizations, technology, telecommunications, and transportation.

The attorneys in our Government Relations practice 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
• Regulatory and legislative strategies

Our clients have access to attorneys practicing in all major areas of law — from tax policy to trusts and estates, from import and export regulations to health care reimbursement formulas, from patent and trademark issues to products liability and procurement rules, Hodgson Russ attorneys are thoroughly equipped to assist you.

For more information, please visit our Web site at www.hodgsonruss.com/gov or contact:

Paul R. Comeau
716.848.1424 pcomeau@hodgsonruss.com

Mr. Comeau is a current member of the New York State Tax Commissioner’s Advisory Council and a former member of the New York State Tax Commissioner’s Real Estate Gains Tax Advisory Group. He is co-chair of the Multistate Tax Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Tax Section. He 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.

Thomas E. Sliney
561.394.0500 tsliney@hodgsonruss.com 

Mr. Sliney has practiced law in South Florida since 1971 and has extensive governmental, municipal, and zoning experience. He was recently reappointed by Florida Governor Jeb Bush to the Judicial Nominating Commission, Fourth District Court of Appeal, for a four-year term. He previously served on the Fifteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. Mr. Sliney is a past president of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association.

James M. Wadsworth
716.848.1230 jwadsworth@hodgsonruss.com

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.