“All politics is local” may be a timeworn phrase, but clichés become clichés because they contain at least a grain (or more) of truth. And when global or national corporations—in particular, those operating in lightning-rod industries such as energy, oil and gas, or chemicals—seek to open or expand operations in new jurisdictions, they would do well to seek counsel from local law firms who understand the political, legal, regulatory, economic and cultural facts on the ground.
As a partner at a national law firm with a strong regional presence in the southeastern United States and Gulf Coast, I have engaged the services of individual practitioners and small to midsize law firms in many parts of the country. My colleagues and I have also been asked by law firms without a presence in Texas or other states to serve as local counsel for specific projects. Drawing on this dual perspective, I have learned more than a few lessons about the value of seeking local advice in order to resolve local issues.
