Government Law covers the procedures that federal, state and local government agencies are expected to follow when making rules, issuing licenses and permits, conducting investigations and imposing penalties, such as fines or license revocation. Government law is sometimes referred to as Administrative law, but Administrative law tends to aimed more at the federal and state government levels. The federal government has a detailed administrative procedure act that has been largely copied by most states. Government law also covers specific branches of the law that are regulated by various governmental agencies. Government law topics include civil rights, food and drug, education, environment, military, public contracts and Social Security.

Local Government Law

Local governments (those which govern cities, villages, counties, and towns) are established and regulated by state law. State law also governs and regulates the local government's authority in relation to other units of local government and in relation to state government, the procedures by which their governing bodies are elected and their framework of governance.

Should I hire a lawyer?

Whether or not you are faced with or involved with a legal situation, retaining a lawyer can save you a lot of time and legal hassles. Government law attorneys provide highly specialized services, including:

Defending state and local governments, school boards, public hospitals, and special authorities against claims involving the federal Voting Rights Act, 42 U.S. Code Section 1983, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, drug testing, the First Amendment, pay systems, organizational efforts by public employees and allegations of discrimination in access to public accommodations, provision of municipal services, educational opportunities, and law enforcement.
Assisting state and local governments in developing new electoral systems and in obtaining pre-clearance of electoral changes from the Justice Department.
Representing private clients in regulatory matters such as zoning disputes, land-use planning and regulatory work.
Litigation of various types both for and against federal, state and local government public bodies.

Use the State Lawyers Directory to find a government law attorney to best suit your or your agency's needs and legal situation.