Building relationships is the core of all lobbying efforts. Bilzin Sumberg's Land Use & Government Relations Group boasts a roster of former city and county attorneys, among other government positions, who have made significant strides in the legislative arena. Our first-hand knowledge and ability to work across the aisle help us better serve our clients. Our attorneys work within all branches of government through conventional and innovative approaches that support and protect our clients' needs.

Additionally, Bilzin Sumberg's Government Relations attorneys advocate for our clients at every level of government. We capitalize on our governmental experience and knowledge of the political process to ensure each client’s interests and objectives are actively presented to politicians and public servants. We collaborate with our clients in defining objectives, developing clear messages and building compelling agendas. These strategic approaches, combined with the years of experience shared by the Group, allow us to guide our clients through a highly competitive environment. We assist our clients in developing and implementing strategies and representing their interests before the legislative and executive branches of state and local governments through our government consulting subsidiary KBS Strategies Group, LLC.

Procurement policies and regulations vary among public and government entities making this practice a highly specialized area of law. Our Government Relations attorneys have cultivated long-standing relationships with highly qualified experts, consultants, government and business leaders throughout Florida. We assist clients through all phases of the public procurement process, including the development of procurement solicitation documents, preparation of their responses to competitive procurements, defense and challenging of awards through both administrative and judicial proceedings. In addition, we negotiate contract terms and provide counsel in matters regarding contract compliance.

Our Land Use & Government Relations Group has extensive experience in assisting clients with the establishment of Community Development Districts (CDDs). Our seasoned attorneys understand that as legal entities, CDDs have unique authority which enables us to better assist CDDs in all phases of their activity. We counsel our clients on the complexities of their rights to enter into contracts, the right to own both real and personal property, adoption by-laws, and rules and regulations.

Bilzin Sumberg's Land Use & Government Relations Group is highly experienced in representing clients before multiple administrative arms of the state government. Our work includes quasi-judicial hearings, code enforcement, administrative appeals and litigation. Our attorneys assist clients in the areas of ad valorem tax appeals, business regulation, contracting and project development, legislative consultation and lobbyist registration and reporting requirements. We also assist clients with rule challenges and other administrative proceedings involving challenges to licenses, permits, comprehensive plan amendments, bid protests and other matters governed by the Administrative Procedures Act.

The political landscape is ever changing and the electoral process can seem daunting. Our Group understands these challenges and offers our clients a board range of solutions. We counsel clients on the requisites of running for office and campaign finance reporting requirements, constitutional amendment petition process, local initiative and referendum matters, third party voter registration procedures, general campaign and voting procedures. In addition, we advise canvassing boards and handle election contests on behalf of both candidates and local government at the trial and appellate levels.

Bilzin Sumberg Government Relations attorneys represent clients throughout all aspects of the appellate process. Through meticulously thorough research, our attorneys prepare strong appeals covering an array of substantive civil law matters. The Group works closely with the firm's Litigation attorneys by briefing and arguing complex pretrial issues, monitoring trials with a significant focus on preserving appellate arguments and handling critical motions during and after the trial.

Our Group's seasoned and highly distinguished attorneys provide effective strategies and representation based on the priorities and objectives set forth by our clients. We formulate legislative, regulatory and political strategies to support our clients’ needs. Our clients rely on us to identify, track and analyze legislative changes; in doing so, we are better able to evaluate the impact of these changes on their daily operations.