Government Law and Relations

The Government Law & Relations Department of Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, L.C. specializes in representation, counseling, lobbying and litigation involving government agencies.  Our broad expertise falls within three primary practice areas - governmental relations, administrative, municipal and government law; zoning and land use law; and immigration law.  We have experience representing clients on regulatory compliance disputes, investigations, agency administrative process and hearings, testimony before public, legislative and executive agencies, including major Missouri state agencies and the United States Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, the Treasury, as well as many of the independent federal agencies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Commerce Commission, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Government Accountability Office (GAO), General Services Administration (GSA), National Laboratories, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Governmental Relations

Laws and regulations affect and often restrict business activities.  All levels of government are increasingly proposing, adopting and issuing new laws and regulations, ones that often are increasingly stringent as well.  Skilled and knowledgeable legal counsel can help address the vital interests of clients affected by these government actions.

Zoning and Land Use Law

Our practice group has significant experience in matters involving zoning and land use.  In this area, we specialize in legal counseling and litigation related to land use rights.

Immigration Law

Our attorneys help businesses analyze employment needs to determine the likelihood of success in hiring a foreign individual, and prepare the necessary applications and documentation to hire a foreign individual.  We also counsel employers on their continuing obligations in employing foreign individuals.  Our attorneys have worked with international corporations, research institutes, job placement service companies, hospitals, medical practice groups and foreign corporations in hiring foreign individuals for short-term or permanent employment.

Recent Representations

• Represented clients before local boards, commissions and public officials regarding major commercial and residential development projects, applications and hearings for permits and licenses, rezoning of property, and commercial and residential property tax appeals
 
• Represented clients before federal agencies, departments and elected officials regarding immigration matters, appeals of agency decisions or rulings, and amendment of administrative rules and regulations
  
• Represented clients before local, state and federal legislative bodies regarding the passage or defeat of proposed legislation and amendment of existing legislation, including research, drafting and hearings; and interpretation and counseling concerning applicability and compliance with legislation
 
•  Represented and counseled individuals and political campaign committees regarding compliance with federal and state campaign finance laws.  Successfully defended the Bi-State Development Agency and a related party on a suit asserting federal antitrust claims and challenging the constitutionality of certain utility rate provisions
 
• Successfully represented citizens in obtaining the right to an election for incorporation and all subsequent legal matters related to incorporation of a new municipality in St. Louis County
 
• Drafted and implemented a model telecommunications tower ordinance, working with west St. Louis County municipalities and various other cities in Missouri and Illinois
 
• Represented various clients in annexation and incorporation matters in St. Louis County and surrounding counties
 
• Represented the Missouri Municipal League and the St. Louis County Municipal League in filing amicus curiae briefs before the Missouri Supreme Court relating to zoning matters
 
• Represented municipalities, developers and affected property owners in a variety of municipal zoning litigation, including disputes related to subdivision escrows, commercial and residential zoning, preservation of the Charbonier Bluff area in St. Louis County, litigation relating to site development plans, and annexation incorporation
  
• Drafted ordinances and codes relating to tree preservation, general zoning, urban town centers, historical districts and various other specialized subdivision and zoning regulations