Riker Danzig has earned an international reputation for our work in governmental affairs. Our Trenton office, overlooking the State House, serves as the center of our New Jersey governmental affairs practice. Our governmental affairs group assists clients in legislative matters, as well as in the complexities of dealing with administrative agencies.

On behalf of our clients, we work daily with members of the New Jersey Legislature and the Executive branch. Because of that relationship and our own extensive first-hand experience in government, we can realistically apprise clients of the prospects of obtaining their objectives, and can offer imaginative and workable solutions to a variety of their problems.

We have provided governmental affairs services over the past several years to a variety of clients, many of which are leaders in their industries, including AT&T, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Microsoft Corporation, General Electric, Siemens, Dun & Bradstreet, Cooper Hospital, New Jersey Bankers Association, Atlantic City Medical Center, Bayer Corporation, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Vornado Realty Trust, CIGNA Companies, Consolidated Rail Corporation, Selective Insurance Company, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc., Carrier Clinic, Avery Dennison, Pennwood Racing, Inc., Penn National Gaming, Inc., Federated Investors, Inc., International Trade Center and New Jersey Foreign Trade Zone (The Rockefeller Group), Newport Real Estate Development Corp. (Lefrak Organization), Rent-A-Center, Inc., Brandywine Realty Trust, Rockland Electric, Gale & Wentworth, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Related Group, The Reinsurance Association of America, General Cigar Company, The Harleysville Insurance Companies, First American Real Estate Tax Services, Inc., Hampton Behavioral Center, Molina healthcare Services, Siemens, New Jersey Bankers Association and the Securities Industry and Financial Market Association.

We are the New Jersey member of State Law Resources (www.statelaw.org), an international network of independent law firms selected for their expertise in administrative, regulatory and government relations.

Legislative Services

A significant amount of our governmental affairs practice involves representation of clients in the legislative process. The governmental affairs group is experienced in investigating the impetus behind particular bills, and in developing legislative strategies to advance our clients' interests. We often lobby for our clients' interests and secure legislative sponsorship and passage of bills, some of which we draft for those clients. We testify before committees and assist clients in preparing testimony. We have worked both alone and in concert with appropriate coalitions in support of or in opposition to legislation.

We played a lead role in securing passage of landmark legislation reforming product liability law in New Jersey, which legislation has been considered a prototype by industry in other states. We had a significant role in crafting New Jersey's health insurance and property and casualty insurance reform laws. We also have assisted in securing passage of legislation that amended the New Jersey Shareholders Protection Act, and legislation which modernized New Jersey's trust laws. On behalf of another client, we developed a legislative proposal designed to finance hundreds of millions of dollars worth of transportation improvements without requiring an increased State budget appropriation. We assist clients with a stake in the state's budget process to ensure necessary funding for the programs in which they participate.

Our attorneys constantly monitor and analyze state legislation and legislative history. We also advise our clients regarding laws related to lobbying, political contributions and New Jersey Election Laws.

Administrative Law Services

Our attorneys have represented numerous clients before the Governor's office, various Departments of State government and independent State agencies, authorities, boards, and commissions. We have extensive practices before the Departments of Transportation, Environmental Protection, Banking and Insurance, Health and Senior Services, Human Services and Community Affairs. The Governmental Affairs Group has considerable experience with respect to issues arising under the Department of Transportation Highway Access Code, Waterfront Development Permits, and programs assisting companies wishing to locate in New Jersey.

We consistently monitor State regulatory trends and activities of State agencies, and appear in the Office of Administrative Law and the Appellate courts on behalf of our clients on insurance, healthcare, environmental and other administrative litigation matters. We draft regulations and prepare comments on proposed regulatory actions impacting our clients and suggest creative public-private partnerships to the agencies interested in exploring privatization initiatives. Our attorneys have experience in government contracts and procurement and represent clients in contractual disputes with State agencies and other contractors. We also assist clients in making their products and services known to appropriate government users of those products and services.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.