Government Affairs & Advocacy

Nevada’s Go-To Government Relations & Lobbying Law Firm

As more individuals and businesses become both interested and involved in Nevada’s political process and are impacted by rulemaking at the local, state, and federal levels, the need for lobbying firms and government relations law groups that get the job done strategically is critical. McDonald Carano’s Government Affairs & Advocacy Group has become mission-critical. Our lobbying and government relations firm gets the job done strategically, efficiently, and effectively. Our attorneys and professional lobbyists create the most formidable and influential team operating in offices in Reno, Las Vegas, and Carson City. We are acutely aware of the challenges facing our clients, and we know that each response requires nuance and tact. We are known for developing consensus to overcome conflict, for having deep-rooted connections across industries and geographies, for bridging gaps among divergent groups, and for being the hardest workers in the room. We have a keen instinct for business-friendly policies and a mastery of collaborative efforts.

When faced with a government affairs issue, clients throughout Nevada rely on our experienced government relations attorneys and lobbyists with the wisdom, know-how, and expertise to develop and leverage an integrated approach. In the rapidly changing political environment, a nimble team that capitalizes on its own 360-degree  perspective to create a successful solution is critical. We are a politically bipartisan group, with coverage that spans the entire state of Nevada, and our uniquely diverse makeup yields results for clients. With deep connections on both sides of the aisle and at every layer of government, we open doors quickly. And when our team advocates for an issue, it is heard with respect—we have a hard-earned reputation for integrity, of which we are proud. We combine the skills developed as government relations attorneys and traditional lobbyists with the wisdom gleaned from extensive governmental experience in the private and public sectors. We are advocates who develop a strategy that addresses all aspects of the matter—the legal issues, legislative and regulatory hurdles, media scrutiny, and any long-term political or business implications. But a strategy is only as successful as its execution. Our team is known for its extensive network of relationships in every corner of the state. No matter where our clients need us, we are there, leveraging our knowledge and contacts to craft impactful solutions for clients with business interests in Nevada.

Collectively, our Government Affairs & Advocacy Group delivers decades of proven representation in advocacy, negotiation, lobbying, diplomacy and relationship management. Team members have broad-ranging professional experience that we put to work for our clients. That experience includes legislative, executive branch and business experience, as well as serving as directors of legislative policy and strategy, public relations advisers, campaign officials and legislative aides. Examples include:

  • General Counsel to Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons
  • Chief of Staff to Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons
  • General Counsel to Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval
  • Policy Director to Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval
  • Senior Deputy Attorney General for Nevada Attorney Generals Frankie Sue Del Papa, Brian Sandoval and George Chanos
  • Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorneys Office – District of Nevada
  • Executive Vice President and in-house lobbyist for a cooperative electric utility headquartered in southern Nevada
  • Two-time Emmy-nominated television news anchor and reporter for the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas and Reno, including serving as the station’s investigative reporter and capitol correspondent covering the Nevada Legislature in the 2011 and 2013 legislative sessions
  • Legislative Research Analyst for numerous committees, including State & International Affairs and Regulatory Affairs; Appropriations; Commerce; Government; Health; Military Veterans & Regulatory Affairs; Ways & Means; Banking & Financial Services; and Insurance (at the Arizona House of Representatives)

Our government relations attorneys and lobbyists assist businesses, individuals, trade associations, non-profit organizations, and local and municipal governments and public agencies with defining their objectives and designing a comprehensive strategy and action plan that offers the greatest potential for success. Whether it is drafting a nuanced amendment at a moment’s notice or strategizing to build a coalition for a critical hearing, our team embodies a nimble and can-do attitude. We are dedicated to supporting client priorities before, during and after the legislative session. We represent client policy interests at interim committee hearings, and we facilitate direct client relationships with legislators. We also work with clients and agency staff on the development of regulatory language, while keeping a close eye on issues that may affect our clients.

Our team has represented clients from nearly every industry, including healthcare, technology, agriculture, energy, transportation, financial services, entertainment, gaming, lodging, education, telecommunications, battery technology, staffing, construction, real estate, retail, museums, cannabis, housing, mining, waste removal and recycling, renewable power, self-storage, towing, automobile dealerships, aviation, professional sports, and government.

Our prominently-recognized Government Affairs & Advocacy team has had the pleasure of offering service and solutions to marquee clients across almost every industry and sector important to the business and growth of Nevada.

Practice Area News

Nevada Legislative Update: Public Finance, Land Use & Zoning, Tax

The September 2023 edition of Communique’ magazine features brief summaries of select highlights of legislation passed during the 82nd Session of the Nevada State Legislature 2023. Josh Hicks published write-ups…

McDonald Carano Receives 19 “Tier 1” Practice Group Awards in Best Law Firms® 2024

McDonald Carano proudly announces that 19 areas of expertise in our Reno and Las Vegas offices received the highest “Tier 1” ranking in the U.S. News–Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”…

Reno Office Receives 17 “Tier 1” Practice Group Rankings in Best Law Firms® 2024

McDonald Carano proudly announces that 17 areas of expertise in our Reno office achieved the highest Tier 1 ranking in the U.S. News–Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” 2024 report.  “Best Law…

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