Governmental Relations

The second Wednesday of each January marks the convening of the Virginia General Assembly. For the following forty-five or sixty days—depending on the year—legislation is debated, passed, delayed, or defeated. An increasing number of businesses and associations realize the value of having an advocate at the General Assembly to protect their interests.

W. Scott Johnson leads the governmental relations team at Hancock, Daniel,Johnson & Nagle. Mr. Johnson has been involved with the Virginia General Assembly since 1986. He was recently named one of "The Elite Five in Governmental Affairs" by Virginia Business magazine. Mr. Johnson has experience in advocating positions on behalf of our clients at the General Assembly involving the following issues: tort reform, healthcare medical malpractice litigation, scope of practice, business litigation, energy, renewable resources, insurance regulatory oversight, taxes, business organizational structures, workers' compensation, professional liability, e-commerce, uniform commercial information transaction act (UCITA), alcohol and beverage control, wetlands protection, forestry, forest products, agriculture, environmental protection, title protection for professionals, certificate of public need, and appropriation budget amendments.

During each General Assembly session, our governmental relations attorneys can be found at the State Capitol every day; however, advancing our clients' positions begins long before the start of the legislative session. Our attorneys interact and maintain close relationships with Virginia's 140 legislators throughout the year. This dedication and constant communication have produced resounding results for our clients over the years.

Team members are routinely asked by businesses to provide legislative updates on recently enacted legislation. They regularly speak to the members of the Medical Malpractice Section of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys on tort reform and health law changes.

Representative governmental relations clients include The Medical Society of Virginia, International Paper, HCA Healthcare Corporation, Community Health Systems, Liberty Healthcare, The Virginia Harness Horse Association, Comcast, Community Loans of America, Allergan, the Frederick County Industrial Development Authority, Virginia's Commitment, The Virginia Health Care Association, ADT Security Services, Amgen, Highland Legislative Forum, and a number of other businesses and associations.