Public Policy and Government Affairs

Beyond the law, Nutter attorneys actively engage with civic and charitable organizations, fostering relationships within the community. Through participation in events and initiatives, we are attuned to the needs of the business, legal, and political spheres.

Co-Chair Dan Mulhern draws on over 20 years of government service and litigation experience to enhance outcomes for clients in government investigation, internal investigations, dispute resolution, crisis management, and strategic decisions. Dan focuses his practice on advising public and privately held companies on government relations, constituency building, and strategic planning. He helps clients navigate a wide range of legislative and regulatory affairs and advises on public-private partnership opportunities to enhance corporate responsibility priorities.

As an active member of the business, legal, political, and civic communities, Co-Chair Bill Kennedy continues to represent clients having legislative, fiscal, and regulatory matters before all levels of federal, state, and municipal government. Bill’s public service experience gives him deep insight and understanding of the public sector enabling Bill to develop proactive strategies to advise and guide clients as they navigate the public policy landscape. Bill’s breath of experience, reputation, and longstanding relationships are a resource for clients who rely on Bill to effectively represent their interests.

For over two decades, Bill Kennedy has spearheaded Nutter’s renowned speaker series, welcoming a diverse audience of esteemed business, political, and community leaders from throughout the Commonwealth. With these invited guests, Nutter clients and attorneys are also exposed to dynamic and timely conversations with prominent public figures. These include governors, mayors, presidential candidates, members of Congress, the U.S. Secretary of Labor, Attorneys General, Ambassadors, government officials, prestigious authors, news commentators, the NCAA president, community leaders, and others. This series is a well-respected forum, with great access, where thought leaders come together at Nutter to consider the timely issues of the day.

Dan and Bill work together as a team to use their knowledge, experience, and relationships to serve clients and to achieve their desired result. Their collaborative approach – able to expand their reach and influence – provides the added value for clients that is crucial to success.

Who We Represent

The Public Policy and Government Affairs group works with clients from across Nutter’s different areas of expertise. Nutter’s Public Policy and Government Affairs team regularly advise:

• Real estate developers
• Financial institutions
• Higher education institutions
• Public and private companies
• Credit unions
• Insurance companies
• Nonprofit institutions
• Health care providers
• Trade associations
• Emerging companies
• Telecommunication companies
• Individuals

What We Do

• Engage with public officials on behalf of clients to draft, create, and apply public policy
• Engage with regulatory agencies on behalf of clients subject to an agency's jurisdiction (telecommunications, labor, and economic development)
• Interact with public authorities on behalf of clients (MBRA, Massport, MassDOT)
• Engage with attorney general offices on behalf of clients (higher ed, health care, nonprofits, telecommunications, labor, among others)
• Draft and interpret legislation and regulations
• Assist in the legislative process on behalf of clients
• Appear before state and federal agencies
• Guide clients through the regulatory process
• Represent clients before local and state regulatory boards, commissions, and agencies
• Serve as underwriters' counsel in bond transactions for financial institutions with public authorities