Law firm Cohen & Grigsby has launched a public affairs practice that will be headed by Clifford Levine, a director at the firm with deep government and political connections.
Joining the firm as principals in the public affairs group are Robert Vescio, who has worked as a lobbyist, a government affairs consultant and a key aide to former Allegheny County executive Jim Roddey; and Nello Giorgetti, an attorney, lobbyist and government affairs expert who has worked in city, state and federal government.
A law firm public affairs group provides expertise to clients on regulatory, tax and litigation issues "where government and business intersect ... and it can really navigate what's going on in government," said Lori Carpenter, president of Carpenter Legal Search, a legal recruitment firm.
Mr. Levine joined Cohen & Grigsby in July after leaving law firm Thorp Reed & Armstrong. When he was recruited by Cohen & Grigsby, he said, discussions included setting up a governmental relations group because "my legal practice has involved a lot of aspects of government, law and politics intersecting."
The firm sees a heightened opportunity for public affairs work, especially on the state level, he said, because Gov.-elect Tom Corbett and several key leaders of the state Legislature are from Western Pennsylvania.
"We're very excited because the stars are aligned in an unusual way right now," said Mr. Levine. "The governor is from Pittsburgh and three of the four legislative caucus heads are from Allegheny County. We're in a position to help them and help clients who have issues that deal with the Legislature."
Mr. Levine's career in government-related work includes serving as solicitor of the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority and as counsel to various state agencies including the Department of Community and Economic Development.
On the political side, he chaired President Barack Obama's Western Pennsylvania Steering Committee, was a delegate for Mr. Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, provided election law counsel for Dan Onorato's unsuccessful campaign for governor last year, and was statewide election law coordinator for the 2006 campaigns of Sen. Bob Casey Jr. and Gov. Ed Rendell.
"Typically medium- to large-size law firms develop this type of practice for their medium- and large-size clients," Ms. Carpenter said.
Cohen & Grigsby has about 130 attorneys at its Downtown headquarters and at an office in Bonita Springs, Fla.
First Published: January 17, 2011, 10:00 a.m.