Government Relations

In today’s world, proper attention to the interface between business and government is often critical to success.  Rath, Young and Pignatelli was one of the first law firms in New England to merge traditional legal practice areas with legislative and public policy expertise. 

Traditionally, law firms have represented clients principally before courts and administrative agencies, most often in adjudicative-type proceedings.  Rath | Young represents clients before these traditional forums, but we also have developed a sophisticated capacity to achieve client objectives in other unique places, including before the legislative branch.

Our professionals bring years of diverse experience, coupled with keen knowledge and respect for the political process.  We work with a wide range of diverse business interests, employing an approach that focuses on developing a fundamental understanding of each client and their issues before fashioning solutions tailored to meet specific objectives.

Our government relations team has the necessary expertise, resources and professional contacts to ensure that our clients interests are properly and effectively represented.

Legislative Experience

We represent clients across diverse industries before the New Hampshire Legislature.  We are registered as lobbyists for some of the most significant commercial interests in New Hampshire's electric utility industry, the health insurance industry, and the financial services industry. 

Our experience includes:

• Representing Northeast Utilities in seeking enactment of legislation in a special session authorizing the acquisition of Public Service Company of New Hampshire, and removing PSNH from bankruptcy.
• Working to enact legislation creating the Business Finance Authority and new taxable credit enhancement tools, which have been used to support New Hampshire businesses affecting thousands of jobs.
• Representing Digital Equipment Corporation in seeking enactment of a special transition rule to the Business Enterprise Tax.
• Representing Public Service Company of New Hampshire seeking enactment of legislation authorizing the issuance of Rate Reduction Bonds that facilitated the deregulation of the electric utility industry in New Hampshire.
• Assisting Bedford Ambulatory Surgical Center to seek enactment of legislation deregulating the construction of more efficient surgical centers.
• Representing Trust New Hampshire First, LLC to seek improvements in New Hampshire's trust company and trust statutes to make New Hampshire the best jurisdiction in the nation for families to locate their trusts and wealth management.
• Helping Androscoggin Valley Hospital of Berlin to change state law so that AVH could qualify as a Critical Access Hospital with higher reimbursement rates under federal law.

Regulatory Problem Solving

Business development and expansion frequently requires state and local government approvals.  Our professionals help companies navigate through the bureaucracy of government to achieve their goals in a timely and efficient manner.

Our experience includes:

• Arranging a public-private land transfer to enable the construction of an 18-hole golf facility in New Hampshire.
• Helping a private developer obtain a lease of state land for development access to a lake and to obtain the necessary permits for construction of a multiple boat docking structure.
• Negotiating necessary state agency approvals required for a company to open a new branch office.
• Providing strategic and public affairs guidance to a private school to resolve regulatory review of executive compensation concerns.

Contract Procurement

Tremendous opportunities exist for companies with the right products and services to do business with state and local government agencies.  We assist potential vendor companies by identifying and helping to develop these opportunities.  In New Hampshire, selection by the agency is only the first step, and we help our clients obtain the somewhat unique but critical approval of the contract by the Governor’s Executive Council.  We have represented vendors from a number of industries including insurance, construction, healthcare, transportation, environment and technology.