Strategic Response and Counseling REGULATORY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

The Strategic Response and Counseling Group assists clients in navigating multifaceted challenges with legal, public policy and media dimensions. A bipartisan group with extensive senior-level experience both in the Executive Branch and on Capitol Hill, we have the expertise to work with clients to identify, develop and execute strategies to defend or advance a position—whether anticipating and responding to fast-moving events, or working over the longer term to craft and implement legislative or regulatory solutions to complex problems.

Recognizing the importance of addressing business objectives while minimizing legal and reputational risk, our lawyers assist clients in handling crises, responding to federal and state executive Branch and congressional investigations and requests, identifying and addressing multi-state and global challenges and opportunities, evaluating and addressing public policy risk, and providing strategic support for proposed business transactions and initiatives. 

Leadership

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Gorelick, Jamie

Jamie Gorelick

Chair, Defense, National Security and Government Contracts Practice Group

Co-Chair, Strategic Response and Counseling Group

+1 202 663 6500 (t)

jamie.gorelick@wilmerhale.com

Kimmitt, Robert M.

Ambassador Robert M. Kimmitt

Co-Chair, Strategic Response and Counseling Group

+1 202 663 6250 (t)

robert.kimmitt@wilmerhale.com

Experience

With our deep experience on both sides of the table—serving in senior government positions and representing clients before investigators and regulators across government and before Congress—we provide a unique perspective on how government operates and how its actions can affect our clients.

Our team’s experience spans more than a dozen federal agencies and includes former senior officials from the Department of Justice, including two former Deputy Attorneys General, former heads of the Civil Division, the Office of Legal Counsel and the Office of Legal Policy; a former US Attorney and 20 attorneys with US Attorney’s Office experience; a former Deputy Secretary of the Treasury; former SEC Director of Enforcement; former General Counsels of the Defense Department, the Treasury Department, the National Security Council, the FBI, the CIA, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; a former Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Interior; a former US Trade Representative; 10 lawyers with White House experience; and former staff from key congressional committees, including the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation and the House Energy & Commerce Committee. Click here to see a detailed list of our lawyers' experience in government service.

We understand the issues corporations face when law, policy and business intersect, often in the glare of public scrutiny and when the stakes are high: a number of our lawyers have significant experience serving as general counsels and on the boards of public companies. Our capabilities are global, extending from the United States to Europe to Asia and beyond. And we partner seamlessly with in-house and external service providers—including public relations, communications and government affairs teams—to provide coordinated, strategic advice.

We have the experience and expertise to handle all phases of a complex problem, coordinating multiple legal workstreams including executive or congressional investigations, regulatory activity, affirmative or defensive litigation, and communications. We understand our clients’ business objectives and the importance of their reputations. Our clients include major multinational corporations and financial institutions, trade associations, educational institutions and non-profits across a range of industries, including the defense, energy, health care and pharmaceutical, financial services, technology and communications sectors.

Publications & News

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May 3, 2013

Partners Waxman, Gorelick Among WilmerHale Attorneys to Receive Prestigious DC Rankings in Super Lawyers

The annual edition of the Washington DC Super Lawyers magazine, published by The Washington Post Magazine, listed 34 WilmerHale attorneys in this year’s rankings.

March 18, 2013

Experienced Life Sciences Regulatory Attorney Bruce Manheim Joins WilmerHale

WilmerHale announced today that Bruce Manheim is joining the firm’s Washington DC office as a partner in the Regulatory and Government Affairs Department.

March 8, 2013

Attorneys Author Chapter in Defending Corporations & Individuals In Government Investigations

Boyd M. Johnson III co-authored a chapter titled “Defending Clients in Insider Trading Investigations and Enforcement Actions,” which was published in the recently released book Defending Corporations & Individuals In Government Investigations.

October 29, 2012

The Exclusion Illusion: Fixing a Flawed Health Care Fraud Enforcement System

Year after year, the government announces historic settlements in the area of health care fraud. During the last decade, the annual fines imposed on pharmaceutical companies have increased more than 800 percent, approaching a total of $25 billion.

October 22, 2012

South Carolina Jennings Decision Deepens Divide Over Scope of Stored Communications Act

October 10, 2012

Former, Current WilmerHale Partners Elected to American Law Institute

October 1, 2012

President Obama Issues Order Prohibiting Foreign Acquisition of US Company

On September 28, 2012, President Obama issued an order prohibiting a Chinese-owned company from acquiring four U.S. wind farm project companies. Although the U.S. government has not disclosed the national security issues raised by the transaction, the Treasury Department stated that the “wind farm sites are all within or in the vicinity of restricted air space at Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility Boardman in Oregon.” Parties considering foreign investment should not become unnecessarily alarmed about the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS") review process in terms of bias against foreign investment or investments from particular countries based on this rare action. CFIUS reviews remain highly fact-dependent and parties to a transaction should broadly consider possible issues related to national security even if their business is not directly involved in defense or other national security work.

August 30, 2012

WilmerHale Counsel Elisebeth Cook began service on August 30, 2012 as a member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB).

July 23, 2012

Senate To Consider Compromise Cybersecurity Legislation

June 7, 2012

Chambers USA 2012 Final Results Announced