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Public-Private Partnerships and State and Local Government Advocacy

Overview

Manatt is one of the nation’s most experienced, well-respected bipartisan state and local government advocacy groups and a destination practice for public-private partnerships. We bring together political savvy, practical know-how and decades of experience to help clients secure resources, protect authorities and advance priorities. Our long-standing client relationships reflect not only our record of success but also our ability to position state and local government agencies and officials for sustainable, long-term impact.

Our professionals have worked in and in collaboration with government at all levels for decades, cultivating deep relationships with leaders on both sides of the aisle. This bipartisan foundation has earned us reputations as trusted advisors no matter which party is in power. It also allows us to move clients’ priorities forward consistently and quickly, avoiding the disruptions that can stall projects during political transitions.

We see advocacy as more than lobbying—it’s about building campaigns that deliver. Our team integrates lobbying, lawyering, regulatory guidance, coalition building, communications including effective messaging, branding and grassroots engagement into strategic plans that advance client priorities. For example, our team conceived and launched , the first and leading bipartisan coalition of mayors and business leaders that has made affordable housing, housing stabilization and homelessness a national priority.

We have been highly successful in positioning our clients as national leaders on issues of importance. Through our strong relationships with think tanks, business associations, labor organizations, and thought leaders, we have successfully built coalitions, developed platforms, and broadened support for client priorities leading to favorable legislation and media attention.

Across sectors, Manatt has helped clients secure hundreds of millions of dollars in federal investment and successfully shaped legislation that impacts communities nationwide. Our clients include states, cities, counties, elected officials, advocacy coalitions, transportation, water and housing authorities, universities and more. Our team has decades of experience supporting clients in areas critical to community well-being, including:

  • Transportation & Infrastructure: We have extensive experience in transportation, highways, ports, freight/goods movement, transit, bike/pedestrian, rail, safety, electric and autonomous vehicles, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) covering federal competitive and formula grants and surface transportation reauthorization legislation. We bring an array of program and policy relationships, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Maritime Administration (MARAD).
  • Water, Energy, and Resiliency. We have a strong track record in securing funding for major water, energy and resiliency projects. Our extensive working relationships cover the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Interior (DOI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Army Corps of Engineers.
  • Housing, Community and Economic Development. We shape housing, community, and economic development legislative, funding, and regulatory policies and projects. We have helped clients successfully pursue and address federal housing financing opportunities and issues, including the Section 108 program, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and opportunity zones. Additionally, we have worked to advance administrative flexibilities, streamline regulations, and cut administrative “red tape” to increase and expedite housing construction, remediation and more.
  • Public Safety and Homeland Security. We offer substantial experience working with Congress and the administration to shape local law enforcement, first responder, disaster assistance and homeland security policies and programs. We work closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), DOJ’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
  • Technology and Innovation. We help drive technological innovation impacting local governments – from drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to artificial intelligence and civic tech. Our team has assisted clients navigating the rapidly-shifting landscape in Washington, as well as positioning them as thought leaders on technology and innovation.
  • Workforce Development. We advocate at the forefront on workforce development funding and policy issues, working closely with Congress, the White House, federal departments and agencies, and other national local government organizations, covering reauthorization of the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA), as well as increasing funding for workforce training and apprenticeships. We have strong program and policy relationships at the Department of Labor (DOL), including the Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
  • Public Health and Human Services. The Manatt team brings a breadth of experience providing federal advocacy to assist local public hospitals, public health and human services departments, and community health facilities. We work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Department of Agriculture.
  • Education. We have highly experienced and trusted advisors who work closely with Congress, the White House, and the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, as well as the Administration of Children and Families (ACF), on public education program initiatives, funding and policies dealing with elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, including the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), special education, Head Start, career and technical education, teacher training, student financial assistance, community colleges and Higher Education Act reauthorization.
  • Tax & Local Finance. We work closely with federal officials and national stakeholders to ensure state and local authorities’ financing mechanisms are maintained to benefit states, cities and their residents, including, for example, the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds and the New Markets Tax Credit.

On This Page

Overview

Manatt is one of the nation’s most experienced, well-respected bipartisan state and local government advocacy groups and a destination practice for public-private partnerships. We bring together political savvy, practical know-how and decades of experience to help clients secure resources, protect authorities and advance priorities. Our long-standing client relationships reflect not only our record of success but also our ability to position state and local government agencies and officials for sustainable, long-term impact.

Our professionals have worked in and in collaboration with government at all levels for decades, cultivating deep relationships with leaders on both sides of the aisle. This bipartisan foundation has earned us reputations as trusted advisors no matter which party is in power. It also allows us to move clients’ priorities forward consistently and quickly, avoiding the disruptions that can stall projects during political transitions.

We see advocacy as more than lobbying—it’s about building campaigns that deliver. Our team integrates lobbying, lawyering, regulatory guidance, coalition building, communications including effective messaging, branding and grassroots engagement into strategic plans that advance client priorities. For example, our team conceived and launched , the first and leading bipartisan coalition of mayors and business leaders that has made affordable housing, housing stabilization and homelessness a national priority.

We have been highly successful in positioning our clients as national leaders on issues of importance. Through our strong relationships with think tanks, business associations, labor organizations, and thought leaders, we have successfully built coalitions, developed platforms, and broadened support for client priorities leading to favorable legislation and media attention.

Across sectors, Manatt has helped clients secure hundreds of millions of dollars in federal investment and successfully shaped legislation that impacts communities nationwide. Our clients include states, cities, counties, elected officials, advocacy coalitions, transportation, water and housing authorities, universities and more. Our team has decades of experience supporting clients in areas critical to community well-being, including:

  • Transportation & Infrastructure: We have extensive experience in transportation, highways, ports, freight/goods movement, transit, bike/pedestrian, rail, safety, electric and autonomous vehicles, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) covering federal competitive and formula grants and surface transportation reauthorization legislation. We bring an array of program and policy relationships, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Maritime Administration (MARAD).
  • Water, Energy, and Resiliency. We have a strong track record in securing funding for major water, energy and resiliency projects. Our extensive working relationships cover the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Interior (DOI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Army Corps of Engineers.
  • Housing, Community and Economic Development. We shape housing, community, and economic development legislative, funding, and regulatory policies and projects. We have helped clients successfully pursue and address federal housing financing opportunities and issues, including the Section 108 program, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and opportunity zones. Additionally, we have worked to advance administrative flexibilities, streamline regulations, and cut administrative “red tape” to increase and expedite housing construction, remediation and more.
  • Public Safety and Homeland Security. We offer substantial experience working with Congress and the administration to shape local law enforcement, first responder, disaster assistance and homeland security policies and programs. We work closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), DOJ’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
  • Technology and Innovation. We help drive technological innovation impacting local governments – from drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to artificial intelligence and civic tech. Our team has assisted clients navigating the rapidly-shifting landscape in Washington, as well as positioning them as thought leaders on technology and innovation.
  • Workforce Development. We advocate at the forefront on workforce development funding and policy issues, working closely with Congress, the White House, federal departments and agencies, and other national local government organizations, covering reauthorization of the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA), as well as increasing funding for workforce training and apprenticeships. We have strong program and policy relationships at the Department of Labor (DOL), including the Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
  • Public Health and Human Services. The Manatt team brings a breadth of experience providing federal advocacy to assist local public hospitals, public health and human services departments, and community health facilities. We work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Department of Agriculture.
  • Education. We have highly experienced and trusted advisors who work closely with Congress, the White House, and the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, as well as the Administration of Children and Families (ACF), on public education program initiatives, funding and policies dealing with elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, including the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), special education, Head Start, career and technical education, teacher training, student financial assistance, community colleges and Higher Education Act reauthorization.
  • Tax & Local Finance. We work closely with federal officials and national stakeholders to ensure state and local authorities’ financing mechanisms are maintained to benefit states, cities and their residents, including, for example, the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds and the New Markets Tax Credit.

Team

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