Montgomery & Andrews

Attorneys at Montgomery & Andrews have a rich history of advocacy for clients before the legislature, in the Governor’s office, before state regulatory bodies and with the New Mexico congressional delegation. Our lawyers have deep ties in our community that allow us to advocate on behalf of a client in ways that less established firms and smaller lobbying teams cannot. Our decades of experience walking the halls of the Roundhouse have given us unique insight into the legislative process and an understanding of the tides of public and legislative opinion that are unmatched by any other lobbying team in New Mexico.

Montgomery & Andrews’ reputation is not only recognized in New Mexico but internationally as well. The firm is a member of the State Capital Global Law Firm Group; which is an international organization of the world’s premier lobbying law firms. Montgomery & Andrews is New Mexico’s only member, and Attorney Nancy King, one of the firm’s primary lobbyists is the past chair of the Group and serves on its board. Our membership in the Group allows us to expand the scope of our representation by drawing on a worldwide network of lobbyists who bring invaluable expertise to difficult or challenging projects. Ms. King, and Gary Kilpatric co-author of the New Mexico chapter of the Groups 50 State Handbook on Lobbying, PACs and Campaign Finance published by West Publishing Company.

A Skilled and Experienced Team

Montgomery and Andrews’ lawyers have extensive experience representing corporations, trade associations and nonprofit organizations before the New Mexico legislature and the state’s regulatory bodies. The firm’s government relations attorneys bring you decades of diverse experience in the legislative and regulatory process. The firm’s lawyers and lobbyists have devoted their careers to understanding New Mexico government and have represented many regional and national clients on a wide range of issues. They are widely respected for their expertise and integrity and for their ability to achieve results for their clients.

General Lobbying Services

We work with our clients to develop an efficient, effective strategy to achieve their legislative objectives. We assist in building a strong case for the client’s position on proposed legislation, help communicate that message clearly and effectively, work to secure legislative and gubernatorial support by such means as drafting legislation and position statements, developing and leading coalitions and grassroots efforts, researching comparable legislation in other states, negotiating compromises and providing effective advocacy through one-on-one communication with policymakers and testimony before legislative committees.

In the event a client seeks to have legislation passed during a legislative session, we work with any state agency that may have an interest in the legislation and the Governor’s office to obtain their support, arrange for a legislative sponsor and educate that sponsor about the bill, coordinate the drafting of the legislation with the Legislative Council Service and the Governor’s office, meet with the legislative leadership to arrange for committee assignments, coordinate lobbying efforts with allied lobbyists, lobby individual legislators, testify in committee when necessary, review and negotiate amendments to the bill and work with the Governor’s office to facilitate his signing of the bill into law.

As part of the firm’s legislative representation, attorneys review and identify bills of interest to a particular client. We prepare bill summaries which explain the content of the bill, the bill’s sponsor, and the committee assignment. Thereafter the progress of these bills are tracked and amendments or substitutions are reported to the client. We also prepare a final history of that legislation. We also give legislative reports at client meetings and meet with clients at their meetings in order to better familiarize ourselves on their issues.

The New Mexico state legislature has interim committees which serve throughout the year in order to study and review issues that will be considered during a regular legislative session. As part of our legislative representation, we attend those interim committees that study issues pertinent to our clients in order to keep our clients informed. In addition, when requested, we work with state administrative agencies on issues of concern to our clients.

If requested, lawyers will also review each political race in New Mexico and make recommendations concerning contributions. Through our continued contact with legislators and others interested in legislation, we often learn of potential issues which would affect our clients. We advise the clients of these new issues as soon as we become aware of them.

Monitoring Services

We also provide legislative monitoring services for clients who do not require an active lobbyist yet need more complete and timely information than is generally available through the existing reporting services. We will identify and review bills of particular interest and provide reports summarizing and explaining the contents of the bills and listing the progress of the identified bills and any other information the monitoring client may request. When bills are amended or substituted, we revise the bill reports and send the revisions to the client. If the client has questions concerning a particular bill, we are available to consult.

In addition, if a client requires a full copy of a bill, we will provide it by e-mail, fax, Federal Express or mail. We will also provide a final report following the conclusion of the session which includes a description of the legislation of particular interest to the client and a final legislative history of that legislation.

Because we have continued contact with legislators, legislative committees and others interested in legislation throughout the year, we often learn of potential issues affecting our clients before legislation is actually introduced. As part of the monitoring service, we also will advise the client of these developments as we become aware of them.

Law Firm Support

Our office provides significant support for our lobbyists. The full legal expertise, experience and reputation of Montgomery & Andrews’ lawyers and staff are available to support the government relations team. We often call upon the recognized experts in our firm on such topics as water rights, environment, insurance, real property, energy, health care, banking, taxation, and other important areas of civil law to support us in achieving our clients’ legislative and regulatory goals. The firm receives legislative reporting services and uses full-time staff to assist the lobbyists during the session. In addition, our word processing department is staffed and equipped to provide bill drafts, amendments, substitutions, and bill memos on an expedited basis. The firm also has the computer capability to track bills on a daily basis.

Representative Clients:

• Allstate Insurance Co.
• American Insurance Association
• America’s Health Insurance Plan
• AMERIGROUP Corporation
• Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
• ConocoPhillips Company
• Delta Dental Plan of New Mexico
• Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold
• New Mexico-American Water Company
• New Mexico Lodging Association
• REALTORS® Association of New Mexico
• Western Refining, Inc.
• XTO Energy, Inc.