World’s largest law firm beefs up politics team in Atlanta ahead of elections

Like lobbyists, members of the firm’s government affairs group represent the interests of companies and other clients at the local, state and federal level. The team has an edge as part of a law firm, in part because any work involving its lawyers is cloaked in attorney-client privilege.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Speaking exclusively to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the firm’s government-related practice since adding Jarrard in July, the group’s global chair, Eric Tanenblatt, said the hiring is part of a continual response to changes in the political and economic landscape.

“Ben has built strong relationships based on respect across the aisle,” Tanenblatt said, adding that Jarrard has deep experience in both the executive and legislative branches of state government. “He’s very relevant. He knows all of the players.”

Having good relationships with the right people is at the heart of the practice, a large part of which involves helping clients engage with policymakers.

It’s especially important during swings in political power, Tanenblatt said, noting that Georgia is about to elect a new governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general, while U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff campaigns to keep his position.

“Next year’s going to be an interesting year,” Tanenblatt said. “There’s going to be new energy, so someone with Ben’s knowledge can be really helpful to the newly elected leadership.”

Jarrard, a former policy adviser to former Gov. Nathan Deal, has more than 13 years in state government under his belt. He has the trust of the current senators and a strong rapport with the current house leaders, Tanenblatt said.

Jarrard said Dentons provides the opportunity to apply his experience in a new way, helping the firm’s clients navigate legislative and regulatory issues. He said being able to work alongside former attorneys general and other respected government influencers made the career change a “no-brainer.”

“I joined Dentons because it offers a collaborative culture across a robust global platform that has the tools to solve complex issues by combining legal, policy, regulatory and government affairs expertise,” he said.

Responding to Georgia’s changing politics

For the last 20 years, Georgia has been dominated by Republicans, but Democrats are gaining momentum, said Tanenblatt, who has worked almost 40 years in the government space.

He said the firm has long recognized the need to grow its government-related practice with relevant influencers affiliated with both major parties in response to political and associated trends.

Georgia’s demographics are changing, in part because so many people are relocating to the Southeast from more expensive coastal and northern states, Tanenblatt said. He said he’s also tracking local economic developments — such as data centers, energy demand and artificial intelligence — to make sure the team doesn’t fall behind.

“We’re constantly looking at how we can prepare for today and for the future,” he said. “As the demographics continue to change in Georgia, we recognize that we need to continue to add people.”

Jarrard’s hiring is the latest of several recent additions to the group in Atlanta.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

In May, former state lobbyist Megan Mercer joined the practice, also bringing her experience in federal government, including as a former staffer in the office of Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Falak Sabbak, who previously served as executive assistant to former Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and as executive director of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus, has been part of the team since October.

“It’s always important to be looking at how you can enhance your practice to expand your expertise and relationships,” said Tanenblatt, who joined the firm in 2001 after George W. Bush won the presidency and as Republicans were making a comeback in Georgia.

Tanenblatt had worked for Republicans Paul Coverdell, when he was a U.S. senator for Georgia, and Sonny Perdue, who was elected in 2002 as Georgia’s governor.

“When I first got started in this work, it used to be that you pigeonholed a lawmaker in a state capital and told them what your client needed, and they’d get it done,” Tanenblatt said. “Now there’s so many external forces involved.”

A local leader in the field

Though Dentons formed not too long ago, in 2013, its government practice traces its Atlanta roots to the local law firm Long Aldridge & Norman, founded in 1974.

Long Aldridge was the first law firm in Atlanta to get involved in the government space, as co-founder Clay Long saw a need for services at the intersection of business, government and the law, Tanenblatt said. He said the firm opened an office in Washington, D.C., in 1993, after Bill Clinton became the president, to represent Georgia companies’ interests on a federal level as well as within the state.

Tanenblatt said Gordon Giffin, a senior member of the current team, led the practice group at Long Aldridge before becoming the U.S. ambassador to Canada in 1997 upon Clinton’s nomination.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

In 2002, Long Aldridge merged with a law firm based in Washington, D.C., to become McKenna Long & Aldridge. That launched a nationwide government practice to complement the firm’s work in Atlanta and the nation’s capital, said Tanenblatt, who led the government group at the time.

“I think that’s a differentiator for the firm even today,” he said, noting its “Dentons 50” network of staff and affiliates working in 50 state capitals. “We’re not a firm that just has a federal practice or just has a state practice.”

In 2015, the firm combined with Dentons, adding a global element to the government practice that now has about 80 members nationwide and more than a dozen in Atlanta. Worldwide, Dentons employs more than 12,500 people, including almost 6,000 lawyers, in over 200 offices.

Unlike many legal practice groups, the government team comprises a pretty even mix of attorneys and non-lawyer professionals, Tanenblatt said. He said almost everyone in the public policy group over the last two decades has served in government, some more than once and some at different levels.

“It is deep in our culture and legacy that we operate in this space,” he said. “I don’t believe that there’s another law firm that has the extensive practice we have because of our history.”