Reed Smith Shakeup: Top Lawyers Depart in Surprise Power Move

Reed Smith, a powerhouse in the legal world, is making waves with a bold move that’s set to shake up the Virginia lobbying scene. The firm’s Government Relations team in Richmond is breaking away to form Seven Hills Strategy Group LLC, spearheaded by legal heavyweights Edward Mullen, Nicole Brenner, and Christine Cogbill Noonan. This new venture aims to bring a fresh perspective to government relations and lobbying in Virginia and beyond.

After spending over 16 years at Reed Smith, including a term as Richmond office managing partner, Mullen’s decision to launch Seven Hills Strategy Group is no small feat. Joining him are partners Nicole Brenner and counsel Christine Cogbill Noonan, forming a legal dream team with a combined 30 years of experience at Reed Smith.

The focus for Seven Hills is big – covering the full spectrum of government relations strategy and advocacy in Virginia. This includes engagement with all state agencies, the General Assembly, the Attorney General’s office, the Governor’s office, and even the Virginia congressional delegation. They will also offer services like legislative drafting, multi-state government relations strategy, and guidance on state attorneys general and environmental regulatory matters.

Julie Hardin, managing partner of Reed Smith’s Americas region, expressed mixed emotions about the departure of Mullen’s team but is supportive of their new endeavor. Reed Smith is eager to see the success of their former colleagues and looks forward to potential collaborations in the future.

The formation of Seven Hills Strategy Group signals a significant shift within Virginia’s lobbying landscape. It will be interesting to see how their innovative approach impacts local legislation and public policy development in the coming years. It’s a bold move that could pave the way for new strategies in the world of government relations and lobbying.