Venable

Venable LLP is a Washington D.C. law firm that describes itself as having lawyers "practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and government affairs." [1]

Venable's Lobbying

On its website Venable boasts that members of its "legislative group have served in Congress, been appointed to serve as officials in federal departments and/or agencies, worked as congressional staff members, or campaigned on behalf of political candidates. Their background and experience are an invaluable resource to clients, who seek to better understand and deal with the federal bureaucracy and Capitol Hill."

It states that it's staff can help clients with "every aspect of the legislative process, including preparing and guiding legislation; drafting committee report language; preparing witnesses for Congressional hearings; and testifying before Congressional Committees on behalf of our clients. In addition, our group offers counsel in administrative and legislative hearings; rulemaking and regulatory proceedings; and political, election and campaign law."

It also boasts that can help ensure funding for clients pet projects as its staff "bring strong relationships with members of the Appropriations Committees and the relevant authorizers, key members of Congress, and congressional staff. These relationships combined with extensive experience enable our attorneys to identify applicable funds and garner support to appropriate those funds."

Some of its campaigns, Venable's states, include:

• Represented a coalition of real estate groups in a successful effort to win passage of class action reform legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Blocked adverse action from being taken against a U.S. subsidiary of a foreign company that provides services to the U.S. military.
• Secured Senate passage of legislation to repeal restrictions on public utilities. [2]

Working for the Philippine Government

In a report for the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Malou Mangahas revealed that in late July 2005, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo entered into a $75,000 per month contract for lobbying services with Venable, a Washington D.C. law firm. [3]

The contract (see link below) specifies that Venable's work will include "securing grants and congressional earmarks for Charter change." Mangahas notes that Venable will also lobby for "Philippines re-inclusion in the credit facilities of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, secure a Philippine credit ratings upgrade in the US Eximbank, 'create a capability enhancement program for the Armed Forces' and acquire up to $800 million in credit under the U.S. Defense Loan Guarantee program, and 'achieve a similar upgrade program' for the Philippine National Police." [4]

The chairman of the Philippine Senate committee on ways and means, Senator Ralph Recto, defended the contract. "Lobbying is a necessity, not a luxury," he told the Manila Standard Today.[5]

Clients

• Republic of the Philippines

Contact Details

Web: http://www.venable.com

External links

• "Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and Venable LLP", July 25, 2005. (Download 350k pdf file)
• Malou Mangahas, "Despite Hard Times, GMA Hires Pricy Foreign Consultants for Charter Change", Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, September 13, 2005.
• Rey E. Requejo, "Recto says nothing wrong with foreign lobbying", Manila Standard Today, September 15, 2005.
• IBON, "Lobby firm further exposes U.S. hand in Cha-cha", Media Release, September 15, 2005.
• Philip C. Tubeza, "Arroyo administration spent P100M for US lobbyists", INQ7, September 15, 2005.
• Christine Avendano and TJ Burgonio, "Senate set to probe Gonzales", INQ7, September 19, 2005.
• Max V. De Leon, "Senators apply the heat on Gonzales", Manila Times, September 19, 2005.
• "US lobby firm deal called off", Sun Star, September 19, 2005.
• Paolo Romero, "GMA cancels Venable deal", Philippine Star, September 19, 2005.
• "Venable heat too much for Palace to handle", ABS CBN News, September 18, 2005.
• "Zamora bares 10 more 'Venable-like' deals", ABS CBN News, September 19, 2005.
• Max V. De Leon and Maricel V. Cruz, "Palace on Venable: It’s closed, let’s move on", Manila Times, September 20, 2005.
• Philip C. Tubeza, TJ Burgonio, Christine O. Avendaño, "Lawmakers see venality in Venable lobby deal", INQ7, September 20, 2005.
• Paolo Romero, "DOJ: Nothing wrong with lobby contracts", Philippine Star, September 21, 2005.
• Patricia Esteves and Anthony Vargas, "Venable lethal to Cha-cha –Nene", Manila Times, September 21, 2005.
• Sherwin C. Olaes, Jun P. Yap, Mel Cabigting and Mario J. Mallari, "DoJ chief: Arroyo lobby contracts part of foreign policy", Daily Tribune, September 21, 2005.
• K.P. Nayar, "Outsource helps US lobbyist land India job", The Telegraph (Calcutta), October 26, 2005.
• Jim Snyder, "3 Venable lobbyists leave to start new firm ," The Hill, January 31, 2007.