The Public Affairs & Government Relations Group provides our clients
with a much-needed intermediary with the Romanian government to insure
the co-mingling of a successful business plan and a successful overall
transaction. The Group draws upon the expertise of our public affairs
analysts, as well as the collective experience of attorneys from the
Firm's antitrust (competition), international law & trade, corporate &
securities, taxation, infrastructure redevelopment & project finance and
litigation sections. Members of the Group advise clients on government
relations, public policy strategies, implementation programs and
administrative and legislative regulations.
Clients with experience in Eastern Europe know that expert legal counsel
is only one aspect, albeit a crucial one, that assures success. No
matter how large the client, or how much confidence it may have in its
own networking capabilities, it would never enter a Western market
without public affairs support. Eastern Europe is no different. Just as
major multinationals employ "Washington firms" to guide them through the
labyrinth of administrative and legislative regulations in the United
States, similar guidance and support is required in Eastern Europe.
Within the region, Romania is the quintessential example of a country
littered with failed multinational transactions for lack of seasoned,
scrupulous and principled public affairs counsel.
We cannot overemphasize the need in Romania to continually "follow-up"
with all levels of governmental authorities upon the corporate efforts
undertaken by senior management. Simply put, it is never enough to hold
a high-level meeting in Romania without appropriate and continuous
"follow-up" to secure the client's desired goals.
In evaluating alternative regulatory and legislative options, providing
legislative and ministerial contacts, developing and implementing
advocacy programs and establishing coalitions, RMDT's public affairs
experts have taken a leading role in tailoring public affairs strategies
and government relations to ensure the success of foreign entities in
Romania. For example, Mark A. Meyer, Esq., Chairman of the Central and
Eastern European Practice Group, has received the prestigious Libertatea
Award as one of the ten most significant international people committed
to the betterment of Romania. For twelve years, Mr. Meyer has been
acknowledged as a leading Western expert in legal, economic and
political issues involving Romania. He authors numerous articles on such
subjects and hosts a television program broadcast both in the United
States and Romania. During his fourteen years of practice in Romania,
Mr. Meyer has successfully handled some of the most controversial and
high profile transactions with precise and efficient representation. He
has been Co-Chairman of former President Emil Constantinescu's
Blue-Ribbon Presidential Commission on Tax Reform and a Special Advisor
for Legal & Economic Matters to President Ion Iliescu. In addition, Mr.
Meyer leads a team of experienced professionals which includes Ms. Lia
Trandafir, who was the chief spokesperson in the successful campaigns of
Victor Ciorbea for Mayor of Bucharest and Emil Constantinescu for
President of Romania, and State Counselor to Prime Minister Victor
Ciorbea, before joining the H&R team. Ms. Trandafir first gained
national prominence as a print and television journalist, and is well
respected by all members of government for her insights into the
intricacies of governmental policy-making and invaluable representation
of RMDT clients.
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