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Founded in 1897 in Columbia, South Carolina, Nelson Mullins today has major government relations/lobbying practices in Washington, DC, Atlanta, Boston, Columbia and Raleigh. More than 40 experienced government relations professionals --including former federal and state officials and former legislative staff-- assist our clients before federal and state legislative, regulatory and administrative agencies in a broad range of public policy areas. For information on our government relations practices in Washington, DC and in Georgia, Massachusetts and North Carolina, please contact any of the professionals listed below.
Our South Carolina government relations professionals include former state legislators and legislative staff, and collectively they have approximately 125 years of combined experience. They enjoy close working relationships with members and staff of the General Assembly, including the Senate and House Leadership, as well as with officials and staff of State agencies. Our team includes professionals who reside in Greenville, Mount Pleasant and Columbia, enhancing relationships with regional delegations. Nelson Mullins’ offices in four (4) South Carolina cities makes us a local firm for many legislators.
As needed by clients, our government relations professionals routinely engage in:
- direct lobbying of members and staff of the General Assembly, the Governor’s Office and State agencies;
- preparing and implementing legislative, regulatory and government contracts strategies for clients and communicating their messages effectively;
- political and issue analysis relating to legislative, regulatory and executive branch matters;
- monitoring and timely reporting on legislative activities and developments, including legislative bills, hearings, and Committee meetings;
- securing opportunities for client participation in the legislative and regulatory processes, including appearances at Committee meetings, visits with state agency officials, legislators and staff, and comments submitted for the record;
- regular contact with legislators and staff, and frequent interaction with members and staff of state agencies, boards and commissions.
- virtually full-time presence at the State House Complex on legislative days, and attendance at the legislative receptions
- advising on media, grassroots and other public relations components; and
- assisting in matters directly related to government relations services, including compliance with State laws governing registration, spending and disclosures by lobbyists and lobbyist’s principals.
In addition to federal and state lobbying, Nelson Mullins provides related government relations services, including
- public strategies;
- public policy and international practice;
- federal and state grants;
- economic development;
- transportation policy; and
- executive branch and administrative agencies.
Our South Carolina government relations/lobbying team is comprised of the following former public officials and experienced government relations professionals:
Practice Leader
David Wilkins was the long-time Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, until appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as Ambassador to Canada, and is an invaluable resource with his relationships and strategic counsel. He led the transition team for Governor Nikki Haley and serves on the leadership board of the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), which leads GOP efforts in non-federal races.
Lobbyists
Harry Cato became associated with our Firm in 2010 after a distinguished tenure as Greenville County District 17 member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, including service as chair of House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee and House Speaker Pro Tempore.
Kathy Shannon has 20 years-plus experience as a South Carolina registered lobbyist, including highly effective working relationships with members of the majority party in both House and Senate. She is widely recognized at the South Carolina State House as one of the leading lobbying professionals, by reason of work ethic, communication skills, and the high esteem in which she is held by members and staff of the General Assembly. Ms. Shannon enjoys effective working relationships with members of the House and Senate Majority leadership, among others.
Jennifer Robinson, a registered South Carolina lobbyist, has the benefit of recent prior service as a staff counsel to the South Carolina House of Representatives and the South Carolina Senate. Ms. Robinson joined the Nelson Mullins government relations team after serving as Counsel to the South Carolina House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee. Her knowledge of legislative procedures and her professional relationships with legislative members and staff are valuable resources for our clients’ successes.
Dwight Drake has more than thirty years experience serving clients in the South Carolina government relations arena, including lobbying on most major issues affecting business and industry, advising clients regarding large economic development initiatives and representing clients in high-profile litigation. He is widely recognized as a leading strategist in legislative and political matters.
Ed Poliakoff has more than thirty years experience in lobbying and legal representation of business interests before the South Carolina General Assembly, Department of Insurance and other state agencies. He also advises clients on compliance with South Carolina laws regulating lobbyists and lobbyist’s principals, conflicts of interest, political action committees (PACs) and campaign contributions.
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