State and local government law has been an integral part of our firm's practice for many decades. We provide comprehensive legal services to state and local governmental entities as well as to organizations and companies doing business with such governmental entities. Our experience representing both public bodies and private organizations and companies in the public law sector provides our firm with the broadest possible perspective in representing our various clients' interests.
Our experience representing public bodies includes virtually every aspect of state and local government law.
- Representation of municipalities and other local government entities
- Special counsel in litigation
- Taxation
- Finance and borrowing
- Zoning and land use regulations
- Annexations
- Tax increment allocation redevelopment and finance
- Contracts
- Labor and employment
- Purchasing and procurement
- Legislation
- Licenses, permits, and other public approvals
Our attorneys work on a daily basis with the statutes that govern the daily operation and management of local governments:
- Open Meetings Act
- Freedom of Information Act
- Intergovernmental Cooperation Act
- Public Funds Investment Act
- Notice by Publication Act
- Truth in Taxation Act
- Property Tax Extension Limitation Law
- Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act
- Local Government Professional Services Selection Act
- Election code
We are particularly experienced in government litigation.
Schiff Hardin works regularly on litigation matters for governmental bodies, in a wide range of areas, including:
Our legislative representation is tailored to each client's needs and objectives.
Schiff Hardin's legislative practice involves all phases of the legislative process, including: developing and executing strategic legislative planning, analyzing and drafting legislation, assisting in preparing and presenting legislative testimony, and working within the legislative process to achieve a client's goal. Our legislative clients include:
We represent clients doing business with governmental entities requiring governmental approvals.
Schiff Hardin has experience in representing its clients on administrative and regulatory approvals at all levels of state and local government as well as selected matters at the federal level.
Our firm's ongoing representation of various local governmental entities and special assignments on behalf of state agencies, boards and commissions, provides us with particular insight and enhanced capabilities in representing private clients in governmental approvals. Our experience with private clients in this area includes the following types of representations:
- Energy companies
- Telecommunications companies
- Real estate developers
- Hospitals and health care corporate groups
- Public utility companies
- Hotels
- Retail stores
- Airport/restaurant/convention facilities
- Community redevelopment projects