The impact of new regulations is a major issue for businesses and in-house lawyers in French companies must tackle upstream the elaboration of policies that could apply tomorrow to their company.

There is however a dichotomy in France between the Public Affairs and the Legal Department and this division is harmful as it restricts in-house lawyers’ participation in the lobbying process. Public affairs is often at the heart of public policy advocacy activity without having the necessary technical competencies of an in-house lawyer when debating a draft law.

Source: The National Law Journal (2015) https://www.wilmerhale.com/uploadedFiles/Shared_Content/Editorial/News/Documents/2015-10-19-national-law-journal-the-influence-50.pdf

ECLA is the umbrella organisation for 17 company lawyer associations in Europe and represents common interests of European company lawyers.

ECLA was created in 1983. It is an international non-profit association governed by Belgian law. Membership is open to national associations only. While individuals are not members of ECLA directly, each company lawyer, who is a member of a national association, can share the benefits ECLA negotiates. These include discounts to conferences, legal education, training, free publications and more.

Important Note: Until the process of negotiations is over, the United Kingdom remains a member of the European Union, with all the rights and obligations that derive from this. According to the Treaties which the United Kingdom has ratified, EU law continues to apply to the full to and in the United Kingdom until it is no longer a Member.

L’Association des Avocats Lobbyistes (AAL) a été fondée en 2011 par les cabinets August & Debouzy, Granrut & Associés, Jeantet, Vogel & Vogel, Régis Cusinberche et Chloé Zylberbogen (Solon Avocats)

L’AAL a pour but de :

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (million US $)

Balance of Trade: Negative Trade Balance

In 2016 Shareholder resolutions filed with 50 companies by 66 institutional and individual investors. Corporate public policy advocacy disclosure remains a top shareholder proposal topic in 2016. At least 66 investors filed proposals at 50 companies asking for public policy advocacy reports that include federal and state public policy advocacy payments, payments to trade associations used for public policy advocacy, and payments to any tax-exempt organization that writes and endorses model legislation.

Best practice requires oversight and approval of significant public policy advocacy activities, expenditures and positions by a standing board committee of independent directors. Leading companies on this issue have recognized that engaging in public policy advocacy requires board oversight because it involves significant shareholder interests and can be intrinsic to the outcome of business strategy.

Source: Inspired by Transparency International Ireland (Author John Devitt).

Adapted to Public Policy Advocacy

1. Legitimacy

Legitimate public policy advocacy means that: