Take any complex issue or problem. Throw in four separate sets of outside advisors to work on it at the same time. Stir well.

Many times this approach leads to inefficiency and confusion. Yet it's just what many companies do - over and over again. They hire a law firm to handle legal matters, a public relations team to spin news reports, lobbyists to work with government officials, and an investor relations professional to calm shareholders. Inevitably, they end up with a disconcerting squeal of contradictory feedback. "Lay low!" say the legal eagles. "Speak up!" say the PR pros.

What if you could get all of those experts to work together as a team - top specialists in a variety of fields, capable of crafting and carrying out an integrated strategy to accomplish the client's goals?

That's why companies turn to McGuireWoods Consulting. Most major initiatives or crises in the life of a company involve a mix of interrelated business, public relations, government relations, and legal issues. An effective strategy has to address every element. Instead of disparate sets of rival advisors from different disciplines - often trying to outdo each other - McGuireWoods Consulting offers clients an experienced team of talented professionals who work together to find practical solutions. When requested by clients, our consulting team is joined by McGuireWoods LLP attorneys to achieve optimal legal and business results.

The Strength of the Team

McGuireWoods Consulting was formed in January 1998 to address the government relations, public relations and business expansion needs of a wide range of law firm clients and other businesses and organizations. In 2000, we added a grassroots/grasstops mobilization team. Today, McGuireWoods Consulting has more than 40 consultants in Atlanta, Bucharest, Raleigh, Richmond, Tysons Corner and Washington, D.C. providing services throughout the Southeast and beyond.

Staffed with seasoned political professionals from both sides of the aisle, McGuireWoods Consulting offers an experienced team of lobbyists at the local, state and federal levels. Our public relations team members come from both politics and journalism - and are used to the fast-paced nature of today's 24-hour news cycle. Our business expansion team has played a major role in a number of significant economic development projects announced during the past two years - always helping to bring the best deal to the table for our clients.

McGuireWoods is one of the nation's largest and fastest growing law firms, with 13 offices throughout the United States and two offices abroad. The firm is involved in all aspects of civil practice with particular strengths in corporate finance, real estate and land use, litigation, public finance, mergers and acquisitions, and product liability litigation. McGuireWoods lawyers also have extensive experience in the fields of intellectual property, tax, securities, government and defense contracts, labor and employment law, banking and financial services, environmental law, health care, elections and voting rights, public-private partnerships and telecommunications, among others.

Integrated Strategies

Today's business challenges are not organized neatly around distinct service disciplines, and neither are the solutions. That's why McGuireWoods Consulting clients routinely draw on the expertise of our varied consulting practice groups to craft dynamic, integrated strategies to achieve their goals. McGuireWoods consultants also team with attorneys from the McGuireWoods law firm at our clients' request to develop comprehensive solutions.

One-stop shopping for multi-disciplinary services yields greater efficiency and economy, but most of all it yields value—well-conceived and well-executed strategies that get our clients where they want to go.

Consider these examples of integrated services:

Most major legislative initiatives involve not only traditional lobbying, but also the sophisticated message development, public relations, grassroots and grasstops mobilization, and legal services McGuireWoods provides. Whether at the federal, state or local level, educating key executive and legislative officials requires advocacy methods and materials that convey a well-honed message. Many legislative battles are won or lost in the court of public opinion, and so an effective public relations component often is essential. Political figures may only respond to encouragement from the "folks back home," so key supporters, community leaders and interest groups must be mobilized. Attorneys may be needed to provide legal drafting, analysis and advice on constitutional, statutory and regulatory issues. McGuireWoods Consulting brings these elements together in crafting a winning strategy.

Companies often call on McGuireWoods consultants and lawyers when planning a major new project or a significant relocation or expansion of their operations - no matter where in the country the change is taking place. The law firm's Business Expansion and Relocation team addresses a wide range of legal issues that commonly confront relocating firms and major development projects. Similarly, our consulting firm's Business Expansion Services group assists with site selection, incentive negotiations, and public-private partnership proposals. With organized opposition to development becoming more sophisticated and muscular, McGuireWoods Consulting’s public relations expertise and grassroots and grasstops mobilization capabilities are often employed to help counter opposition and support client goals. When the time comes to unveil the deal, McGuireWoods Consulting can plan the event, handle media and community relations, and coordinate participation by key public officials.

Many other examples could be cited, but here's the bottom line: McGuireWoods consultants and lawyers have the depth and range to develop flexible, dynamic, integrated strategies that meet our clients' business and legal needs, whatever the issue or venue.