Ballard Spahr Adds Government Relations Team in Washington, D.C.

National law firm Ballard Spahr has significantly expanded the federal capabilities of its noted government relations practice with the addition of a prominent five-member lobbying and public policy group to its Washington, D.C., office, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today.

The group members—three attorneys and two senior government affairs advisers—help clients across industries navigate the opportunities and challenges that accompany doing business with the federal government. In addition to lobbying, they advise on matters involving regulatory compliance, government ethics, and political and election law. They join the firm from Nossaman LLP. Their arrival brings the number of lawyers in Ballard Spahr's Washington, D.C. office to more than 80.

"This group is known for its ability to work effectively with leadership in the House, Senate, and executive branch, making it a good fit for Ballard, which has government relations professionals on both sides of the aisle and where collaboration is prized," Mr. Stewart said. "Their arrival allows us to broaden the range of services we offer to existing clients, particularly in the areas of health care, pharmaceuticals, and financial services."

Timothy W. Jenkins, Partner: Mr. Jenkins represents U.S. companies on federal, state, and local gift rules, lobbying registration and election law, pay-to-play provisions, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

He has more than 30 years of experience representing clients before Congress, presidential administrations, and federal regulatory agencies. Mr. Jenkins’ lobbying clients include trade associations and corporations, with an emphasis on the financial services, health care, and pharmaceutical industries. Before attending law school, he served as an investigator for the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee and the Senate Government Affairs Committee.

Kate A. Belinski, Partner: Ms. Belinski focuses on lobbying, public policy, and compliance with the federal regulations that govern campaign finance, government ethics, and administrative law. She represents clients in investigations by congressional committees, the Department of Justice, federal agencies, and state attorneys general. She also advises members of Congress on disclosure obligations under the Ethics in Government Act and represents them before the House and Senate Ethics Committees.

Before entering private practice, Ms. Belinski was Senior Counsel to the Chair of the FEC. She also has served as an attorney in the enforcement division of the FEC and as its Deputy Ethics Officer

Brent R. Heberlee, Of Counsel: Mr. Heberlee represents local governments, public agencies, higher education institutions, nonprofits, and businesses in a range of public policy matters. He has over 15 years of federal lobbying experience, and regularly provides clients with strategic advice and government relations support in Congress and the Executive Branch. His practice emphasizes matters involving appropriations, energy, natural resources and the environment, financial services, telecommunications, and federal land use.

Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Heberlee served as Legislative Director for U.S. Senator Richard Bryan (D-NV) and U.S. Representative Jim Bilbray (D-NV). He began his career working for Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). He also served as Executive Director of Federal Relations for SBC Communications, Inc., one of the world's largest telecommunications providers.

Sherry Harper Widicus, Senior Policy Adviser: Ms. Harper Widicus has more than 18 years of experience designing and executing federal legislative, political, and communication strategies as a senior congressional staff member and for government affairs clients. She focuses on matters involving health care, financial services, tax policy, higher education, and appropriations.

Emory Rogers, Compliance Manager: Mr. Rogers has more than a decade of experience in government relations, communications, regulatory and legislative analysis, and compliance at the federal and state levels. He provides the full range of compliance services and monitors developments in federal and state ethics and campaign finance to keep clients aware of changes in these evolving areas of law.

Ballard Spahr's government relations practice provides comprehensive, forward-looking counsel and representation from 15 offices nationwide. Attorneys in the group advocate to policy makers and regulators and guide clients in identifying and pursuing opportunities that advance their business objectives.

Group members—including practice leaders Ken Jarin and Adrian R. King, Jr.—have served as elected and appointed officials at all levels of government. Mr. Jarin is the former Treasurer of the Democratic Governors’ Association and Deputy Finance Chair of the Democratic National Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Mr. King has served as First Deputy Attorney General in the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Deputy Chief of Staff to Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell.