Regulatory Enforcement & Government Relations

When the government comes calling, a strategic communications plan in tandem with a legal response is critical to protecting hard-earned reputations. We understand the legal issues, and we coordinate communications to advance the legal and reputational interests of our clients.

Representative Regulatory Enforcement & Government Relations Experience

National retail brand negotiates aspects of its local transportation hub presence with municipal airport authority
Longtime family-owned farm navigates highly sensitive political environment concerning Native American rights and demands related to efforts to sell and redevelop its historic location for potentially vast local and state public works project
Local Jewish congregation faces eviction by out-of-state lessor from its 140-year spiritual home, the oldest synagogue in America and designated National Historic Site, resulting in years of litigation, and requiring government relations, media and crisis communications strategies
Prominent non-profit seeks communications and government relations assistance related to sensitive decision to sell its community senior living facility
Electronics recycling firm faces state regulatory action and negative media coverage concerning the storage and disposal of hazardous materials, threatening highly valuable state contracts and business ratings
Major engineering firm faces losses and potential litigation when industrial steam plant project stalls amid unrelated political corruption within city government and coinciding election of city’s new mayor
Medical cannabis company seeks state licenses to produce, manufacture and distribute product, requiring delicate navigation of state approval processes in highly uncertain legal environment
Prominent restaurateur and other local businesses face potential revenue decline over proposed local regulations, and seek assistance advocating position before City Council and other opinion leaders
Congressional inquiries and national media focus into accreditation standards and oversight by national professional association
State and federal investigations into tainted peanut products, including Congressional hearings following consumer deaths
Federal tax inquiry of prominent mega-church and related media inquiries
Federal investigation into alleged inappropriate diversion of corporate funds to high-ranking elected federal official
Commodity producer faces negative media after state and federal environmental penalties are assessed at its facility
Numerous cases of FDA Warning Letters concerning medical devices and nutritional supplements
State health department investigation and resulting media investigation into food manufacturer’s plant conditions and subsequent food recall
States’ attorney general investigation of Fortune 500 companies
State attorney general investigation of alleged fraud by large public utility
Numerous EPA investigations of national companies, including related consent decrees
Media and government relations campaign for global computer trade association concerning international trade issues

Case Study

During a downturn in the job market for professional school graduates, congressional, media and blog inquiries into the accuracy of reported employment and salary data, federal loan repayment and default rates, and accreditation standards were publicly directed at the national professional association charged with accreditation authority. Rotenberg Associates, Washington, DC and Minneapolis, developed a crisis communications plan, prepared messaging and tactical strategies for handling national media inquiries and social media posts, and implemented a government relations plan for outreach to members of Congress and their staffs. Rotenberg Associates leveraged its relationships with key members of Congress to secure Capitol Hill meetings, represented the client at those meetings, and served as the lead authorized spokesperson for national media inquiries.