Alexander & Cleaver
Alexander & Cleaver is a legal and lobbying firm based in Annapolis, and the Maryland Tech Council recently met with Camille Guevara Fesche, an attorney and government relations consultant, to talk about the firm.
Tell us about Alexander & Cleaver and the types of clients with whom you work.
The firm was founded in 1985, and the primary focus in our Annapolis office is government relations which encompasses legislation and public policy, crisis management, procurement, ethics and campaign finance, and regulatory issues. We work with a variety of professional associations and private sector companies.
What does the day-to-day work in the firm look like?
A large part of what we do is lobbying which is essentially educating. We are engaged in year-round monitoring of legislative sessions which involves a lot of prep work. We develop a game plan and then follow what is going on in government, specifically with the commissions and work groups. We also track what the budget looks like and determine what the priorities of the government are. Building relationships with and educating legislators is a large part of our work; we give them the tools and information they need to understand our clients’ side of the issue. Activities like these help us develop a strategy for our clients. We also work with government contractors and help by looking for opportunities to see where the client’s products or services can fit with the needs of the agency. We ensure that our clients are well positioned to compete for contracts on the local, county, municipal, and state levels.
What types of trends are you seeing?
There are a lot of new subject areas in law that have come about due to technology like autonomous cars for example. There are also new classes of pharmaceuticals, like biologics, and different types of medicines. With these new areas of law we are seeing an opportunity to build that law to make life better for all Marylanders and ensure the companies choosing that product, their needs and stressors have been expressed and have been understood by legislators. Criminal systems is another area of law that is changing. People are rethinking the implications of it and how they can get released prisoners to become productive members of society. There are some very exciting opportunities out there.
Does your firm work with small businesses? It seems that the process can be a bit intimidating.
We do work with small businesses. For smaller companies that are working on their own, we often recommend that they work with a limited scope and focus on perhaps just a few counties, state agencies or bills that they are trying to push. Many times, a group of small businesses, such a group of tech startups with similar interests like employment or tax credits will get together and hire our firm. Regardless of how companies choose to work, our firm is well-suited for the needs of small businesses.
What can a company expect when they work with you?
We would start with an initial meeting to discuss what the client wants to accomplish. Say, for example, the client doesn’t understand lobbying but wants to sell their product to the seven major counties or they have a product that can work in state agencies. We would help the client create a plan and help open doors so they can close deals.
What challenges does Alexander & Cleaver face?
The biggest issue that I see is that there is always so much more to learn from our clients and about certain subjects. We work on a team model, and we have several lobbyists who work within a large number of specialties which serves as a great resource for information.
What’s is like to work at Alexander & Cleaver?
It’s fast paced, and it’s different every day. The people who work here are very bright and they bring a variety of interests, education, and insight to the job. Everyone is always willing to pitch in and toss around ideas. It’s such a great environment and it really sets us up for success.
What would you like MTC members to know about Alexander & Cleaver?
Joining an organization like MTC is important because being a member of a group with over 600 voices is more powerful than trying to do it on your own. Legislators believe in public service, but they need to be educated especially in new areas of technology. It’s a constant education. You need to sit at the table and have a voice and when you do, lawmakers will then include you. The lobbying process is difficult for a small company to do, and with their MTC dues, members are getting full value of a lobbyist.
To learn more, contact Camille G. Fesche, Esq.
Government Relations Consultant | Attorney
Alexander & Cleaver, P.A.
cfesche@alexander-cleaver.com
Phone: (800) 292-Laws
Ira S DuBey, Executive Vice President, Bioanalytical Services