Global Government Relations

Global Government Relations is the lobbying arm of giant law firm, DLA Piper, "one of the world's 'biggest and baddest' law firms".

People

• Tim Clement-Jones

Lord Clement-Jones is a Partner of DLA Piper and Co-chair of Global Government Relations. In 2008 he was paid £61,000 by DLA Piper. Clement-Jones, known for his "legal acumen and networking know-how", argues that “As long as I know who pays for my airfare, I’m clean … I can’t take part in debates with or talk to ministers in the context of any clients. I tend to dip in and out of business deals."

• Brochures put out by Clement-Jones’ team give details of the services offered: “Influencing emerging policy and legislation can be crucial to commercial success. We help clients to build and maintain effective relationships with legislators and those who influence them. We also assist clients to communicate their priorities to governments and institutions to manage effectively any legislative and regulatory threats. This includes issues management and thought leadership, as well as political engagement.”
  
• DLA Piper also advertises that it offers Select Committee Training; including “liaison with the Clerk of the Committee, its Chair and special advisers as part of the "negotiating" period before the oral evidence session;” Clement-Jones is the main contact for this service. His team also “can research and draft appropriate written submissions to Select Committee inquiries.”
  
• Clement-Jones is also a contact and “offers direction” for DLA Piper’s Global Government Relations team in China, which “offers a number of services to international clients seeking to establish, operate and manage their political and stakeholder relationships in China as well as “a combination of legal and government relations services to China-based companies looking to establish or expand their operations internationally.”

• Lord Norman Warner. It was reported in February 2008 that Lord Warner, the former Labour Health minister, who resigned from the government in December 2006, was being paid by DLA Piper. DLA Piper advised ministers on the £12billion IT project for the NHS. Warner was responsible for the project when in government.

• Suzy Awford, managing director, Europe and Asia. Previously worked for national governments such as the Government of Croatia and the Government of Ethiopia, and is a former civil servant at the UK Department of the Clerk of the House of Commons. She joined Global Government Relations from her position as Head of Research and European Affairs at lobbying firm, AS Biss.

• Eben Black, head of media. Black Chief Political Correspondent at the Sunday Times for five years and the Political Editor of the News of the World.

• Phil Brogan, Director of Planning Communications.

Clients

GGR doesn't publish a list of its lobbying clients, but others include: British Bankers Association | Centrica | Standard Life

• Government IT projects

The Sunday Times reported in February 2008 that DLA Piper has been advising government minister on the controversial £12billion IT project for the NHS. In March 2007, a Law Society publication wrote that "its 'industrious' lawyers have 'really cornered the market in government IT work', with particular mention made of its continuing involvement in the Connecting for Health project, advising on contract management issues. Praise was also given to its outsourcing, procurement and litigation expertise in the technology field, with buyer clients in a variety of sectors and supplier clients ranging from hi-tech companies through to top international IT services companies."

Contacts

3 Noble Street
London EC2V 7EE
http://www.dlapiper.com/uk/services/detail.aspx?service=87