Trade Associations

We assist trade associations both with internal operations and governance matters as well as policy and regulatory advocacy on behalf of members.

As a former chief counsel for a federal regulatory agency and former general counsel to one of the nation’s oldest and largest youth-serving nonprofit organizations, founding member Alais Griffin has handled a broad range of internal legal issues relevant to trade associations, including:

• Contracts: drafting and negotiating contracts, including independent contractor, hotel and conference, and licensing agreements

• Governance: amending bylaws or articles of incorporation; revising policies and procedures; preparing executive compensation surveys; board and staff training

• Employment and HR: revising and preparing employee handbooks and policies; assisting with personnel issues

• Ethics matters, including code of conduct and whistleblower programs and training

• Grants and regulatory compliance, including lobbying and federal grants requirements

• Intellectual property protection

• Risk assessments/risk management

With her experience as a senior political appointee in the federal government, Alais also brings an extensive and first-hand understanding of Executive Branch agencies and other government operations. With her insights into regulatory compliance, regulatory development, and other government processes, she is an effective advisor on specific public policy issues, whether they require advocacy at the executive or congressional levels. She has drafted comments on proposed rules and petitions for rulemaking and assisted clients with regulatory interpretation, enforcement, and compliance matters.

As with all of our clients, we offer flexible fee arrangements from hourly or fixed fee packages, to outside General Counsel services.