Government Advocacy

A mobile app for the Tennessee General Assembly is now available for download in the Apple App Store.

Bass, Berry & Sims PLC is an effective advocate of its clients' interests in matters where government and business intersect, including lobbying Tennessee's legislative and executive branches of government.

The firm's attorneys and staff represent clients in their business relationships with the agencies of state government, from the General Assembly to the several departments, agencies, boards and commissions. Richard Lodge, Lee Barfield and Erica Bell Vick are registered lobbyists for the firm's clients in the State of Tennessee. Mr. Lodge has been recognized by Business Tennessee magazine as one of the most effective, top-tier lobbyists for business interests. A current list of the firm's lobbyist registrations can be found (by lobbyist's name) on the Tennessee Ethics Commission Web site.

Moreover, all aspects of state government purchasing and contracting are frequently handled by the firm – from initial inquiries to contract negotiations to resolution of appeals. Mr. Lodge and David Esquivel are responsible for state purchasing and contract matters.

The firm's attorneys provide counsel on state and federal political action committees and government ethics issues. Brant Phillips and Erica Bell Vick are the co-authors of the Tennessee chapter of the Thomson/West Lobbying, PACs and Campaign Finance: 50 State Handbook. He follows closely the activity and rulings of the Tennessee Ethics Commission that enforces the lobbyist registration and gift-ban laws and of the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance that enforces campaign contribution limits and disclosure.

The firm also actively supports economic development in and business relocation to Tennessee. It maintains a close relationship with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and assists with state tax incentive availability and local government property tax abatement and tax increment financing.

The firm's attorneys are also active in the representation of our clients before the Health Services and Development Agency on matters relating to the grant of certificates of need required for any major healthcare capital expenditure. Mr. Phillips and Mr. Lodge act for clients applying for or opposing CONs.

In addition, the firm appears regularly in support of clients' interests before Tennessee's:

• Environmental regulators on enforcement, licensure and rule-making matters
• Department of Revenue on state and local tax disputes and assessment appeals
• Banking and other regulators in the Department of Financial Institutions
• Insurance regulators in the Department of Commerce and Insurance on licensure and rate-setting matters
• Department of Health on healthcare licensure and regulatory matters
• Securities Division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance
• Occupational and Safety Administration and other labor and employment regulators
• Attorney General investigations and inquiries
• Public utility commission, the Tennessee Regulatory Authority

The firm’s reputation for effectiveness is underscored by its selection as Tennessee's sole representative in SCG Legal, an association of law firms in each of the 50 states chosen for the significance of their business practice in that state's capital city and the strength of the government relations practice. Member firms of SCG Legal practice independently and not in a relationship for the joint practice of law. Mr. Lodge served as chair of the association in 1998.

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