Government Affairs
Effective state representation is about relationships and cultivating trust. The Jackson Walker Legislative team knows the key players under the dome, but more importantly, they know us. Our Legislative team’s reputation is unparalleled and the team has longstanding relationships with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Comptroller, Agriculture Commissioner, the Railroad Commissioners, and key members of the Texas House and Senate.
Jackson Walker knows the importance of maintaining current relationships and forming new ones to accomplish goals set by our clients. In short, this team knows state government and the people who make it work. Our experience and relationships protect and advance the interests of our clients in their business endeavors.
Our Legacy
Jackson Walker has been engaged in Texas politics since the early 1900s, and our involvement has continued throughout the firm’s history, with several of our partners and lobbyists regularly involved in legislative initiatives. In addition to the firm’s longstanding record of legislative success, Jackson Walker’s service to its clients is unparalleled among law firms in the state.
Our Legislative section is comprised of professionals with varied experience serving clients in diverse industries such as agriculture, energy, healthcare, and public utilities. These attorneys and lobbyists have significant experience representing clients before state and federal agencies and the Texas State Legislature regarding development of new legislation, responses to legislation that would disrupt or end current practices, and regulatory compliance.
Our current Legislative team has over 145 years of combined experience practicing before regulatory agencies and the Texas Legislature. We have a professional history of representing businesses and associations, and have coordinated efforts with private consultants, representatives of government agencies, elected officials and staff as a method of achieving goals and objectives for clients. We are skilled at building statewide coalitions of stakeholders to achieve consensus and make progress on complicated issues. Furthermore, we have been public servants and active members of our community.
Our relationships with members of the legislative and executive branches of state government are both personal and professional, and we have a solid reputation for implementing winning strategies, as well as thoroughly understanding the intricacies of the legislative process, working with leaders of both major political parties, and finding solutions where others only see problems.
Healthcare
Jackson Walker’s healthcare lobbying team has over 40 years of experience dealing with an ever-changing healthcare landscape in Texas. Our experience includes:
- Legislative and Regulatory Issues – Representing client interests on matters pending before the Texas Legislature and various state and federal regulatory agencies; resolving regulatory and legislative issues with the Texas Health and Human Services Enterprise agencies, and the Sunset Advisory Commission on behalf of healthcare providers, healthcare trade and professional associations, and higher education; providing guidance and counsel during an agency’s rulemaking process.
- Medicare and Medicaid – Advising healthcare clients on Medicaid reimbursement and billing issues and hospital financing issues; assisted clients in contract negotiations and management.
- State Appropriations Process – Advising clients on and during the interim legislative appropriations request process; guiding clients through the state’s biennial budget process during session, including drafting and submission of budget riders and agency funding requests.
- Healthcare Workforce Issues – Representing client interests before the Legislature and various healthcare licensing bodies on issues related to clinical practice and education of healthcare professionals in Texas.
Agriculture
Attorneys in the Legislative section have served the agricultural industry throughout Texas for decades. Examples of the areas in which Jackson Walker attorneys have assisted these clients are listed below:
- Agriculture Product Container Disposal Task Force – Represented clients in evaluating regulation of hazardous waste residue in grain and other agriculture product containers for permit-exempt regulation.
- Animal Health Regulatory Actions – Drafted statutory language and regulation language for Brucellosis and tick regulations.
- Wastewater /Air Environmental Regulations – Represented clients before TCEQ and Texas Legislature relating to permit-exempt regulation
- Endangered Species Regulation – Represented clients in negotiations with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Department concerning potential endangered species modification and actions necessary to avoid need for an incidental take permit.
- Water Rights – Drafted legislation, served on committees to create language for legislation on water rights and other private property issues.
- Taxation – Drafted and helped pass legislation for taxation based on value of agriculture land.
October 17, 2023
Insights
Texas Attorney General Opinion Finds That Governor’s Emergency Executive Orders Have “The Force and Effect of Law,” Including Criminal Penalties
On September 10, 2021, Williamson County Attorney Dee Hobbs requested an “expedited” ruling from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in response to his question of whether executive orders issued by Abbott in response to the COVID-19 pandemic should be “criminally enforceable,” including against public servants who violate the orders. Just over two years later – on September 14, 2023 – he received this reply.
By Kate Goodrich
May 12, 2023
Mentions
Texas Bill to Reduce Frivolous Lawsuits Could Crush Free Speech | KTRH News
As longtime counsel to the Texas Association of Broadcasters (TAB), Stacy Allen appeared before the Texas Senate at a March 9, 2023, hearing on SB 896 to provide testimony and suggestions on how to improve Senate Bill 896.
August 30, 2021
Insights
The 2021 Legislative Session: Texas Broadcasters Taking Victories Where They Can Find Them
During the 2021 Texas legislative session, Stacy Allen was in the trenches alongside longtime client Texas Association of Broadcasters, advocating for bills that advance the interests of open government and journalists. Of the eight newsroom legislative priority bills from TAB, only two made it to the governor’s desk and will become effective September 1.
August 19, 2021
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
August 12, 2021
Speaking Engagements
Kate Goodrich Presents on Recent Legislation Impacting Energy and Environmental Laws in Texas
During the 33rd Annual Texas Environmental Superconference, Jackson Walker attorney Kate Goodrich joined Elizabeth Fazio Hale of Gulf Coast Authority for a legislative update on recent legislation related to the electric market, energy, and environmental laws.
July 8, 2021
Insights
Texas Legislative Update on Governor Abbott’s Special Session Agenda
Texas legislators have convened for a special session to address the 11 agenda items recently issued by Governor Abbott. This article summarizes the items up for discussion during the session, including two emergency items on bail reform and election integrity that did not reach the governor’s desk during the regular session.
June 28, 2021
Podcasts
Overview of 87th Texas Legislature: Key Bills, the State Budget, and Jackson Walker’s Role
While many thought the 87th Texas Legislature would be limited in scope to COVID-related needs, the end results were much more expansive. Government Relations & Public Policy attorneys Denise Rose and Kate Goodrich cover some of the key bills that passed and failed, the state budget, and the role Jackson Walker’s Legislative team played during the recent legislative session.
June 22, 2021
Insights
Legislative Update on Pandemic-Related Bills Sent to Governor Abbott
By Kate Goodrich
Of the approximately 150 bills and resolutions related to COVID-19 that were filed, only 20 were passed by the 87th Texas Legislature and sent to Governor Abbott for signature. This article summarizes three pandemic-related bills that successfully reached the Governor’s desk during the regular session.
June 21, 2021
Insights
Texas Legislative Update on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-Related Bills
By Jamila Brinson
In the recent 87th legislative session, the Texas Legislature contended with several bills that address or may impact areas relevant to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within Texas government, public and private schools, and businesses.
June 9, 2021
Insights
Texas Governor Signs Law Banning ‘Vaccine Passport’ Statewide
By Kate Goodrich
On Monday, June 7, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that prohibits any business operating in Texas from requiring what has been referred to as a “vaccine passport.” Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are exempt and can still require visitors to show proof of vaccination.
