Government Relations Professionals for Agriculture, Food, and Trade Associations
OFW Law helps agriculture, food, and trade association clients turn federal policy risk into Congressional and agency action. A proposed USDA rule, a Farm Bill provision, or an FDA enforcement priority can reshape your market overnight. Our bipartisan team of professionals and former agency officials advocates for client interests before Congress, USDA, FDA, USTR, and CBP, combining legal counsel with policy strategy in a single practice.
- Washington, DC office with direct access to federal policymakers
- Former USDA officials and Congressional staff on the team
- Bipartisan relationships across Congress and federal agencies
- Sole focus on agriculture, food, and trade policy law
or call (202) 933-5394
Recognized by
U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms
OFW Law has been recognized as a Best Law Firm by U.S. News & World Report for four consecutive years across food, agriculture, and regulatory practice areas.
What We Do for Clients
Government relations professionals at OFW Law work across the federal policy lifecycle, from monitoring proposed legislation and agency rules to building advocacy coalitions and representing clients in regulatory proceedings. Every engagement connects legal analysis with policy strategy.
Farm Bill Strategy and Legislative Advocacy
We guide clients through Farm Bill reauthorizations, working with House and Senate Agriculture Committees on provisions affecting crop insurance, commodity programs, conservation, nutrition assistance, and trade promotion.
Relevant for: Commodity boards, agricultural producers, food manufacturers, trade associations
USDA Regulatory Advocacy and Agency Relations
We represent clients in USDA proceedings, submitting comments on proposed rules, working with FSIS and AMS on implementation, and advocating in enforcement matters. Covers labeling requirements, food safety standards, organic certification, and program eligibility.
Relevant for: Food processors, meat and poultry producers, organic operations, import/export companies
FDA Regulatory Advocacy and Policy Engagement
Our professionals engage with FDA on rulemaking proceedings, enforcement priorities, and guidance documents. We prepare formal comments, request agency meetings, and coordinate Congressional oversight when regulatory action affects operations.
Relevant for: Food manufacturers, dietary supplement companies, pharmaceutical firms, retailers
Federal Appropriations and Program Funding
We work on agriculture and food appropriations, representing clients seeking program funding, responding to budget proposals, and advocating before appropriations subcommittees. Technical input on funding priorities and coordination with Congressional offices to protect client-critical programs.
Relevant for: Trade associations, research institutions, agricultural organizations, commodity groups
Trade Association and Coalition Building
We serve as government relations counsel for agricultural and food trade associations, providing policy strategy, Capitol Hill advocacy, member coordination, testimony preparation, international trade engagement, and multi-stakeholder coalitions.
Relevant for: National and regional trade associations, commodity boards, industry coalitions
Need help with a federal policy issue right now?
Talk to a government relations attorney about Farm Bill, USDA, FDA, or Congressional advocacy.
Who Hires OFW Law for Government Relations
We work with the agriculture, food, and trade clients who need DC-based legal counsel combined with policy advocacy. Each engagement is built around the specific federal issues that drive your business decisions.
Trade Associations
National and regional associations representing producers, manufacturers, and commodity groups. We serve as outside government relations counsel — monitoring legislation, coordinating advocacy, and representing positions before Congress and agencies.
Commodity Boards
Organizations representing specific commodities — from row crops to specialty products — in Farm Bill negotiations, appropriations advocacy, and USDA program design. We help commodity groups protect program funding and shape policy provisions.
Food Manufacturers & Processors
Companies facing USDA and FDA regulatory actions, labeling changes, food safety requirements, or trade policy impacts. When a proposed rule threatens operations, we combine regulatory compliance with policy advocacy to address the issue at its source.
Importers & Trade Companies
Businesses navigating customs, tariff, and trade policy changes through USTR, CBP, and Congressional trade committees. We represent importer interests in trade negotiations, tariff proceedings, and market access disputes.
Agricultural Producers & Agribusiness
Farms, ranches, and agribusiness companies affected by federal crop insurance policy, conservation programs, environmental regulations, and agricultural policy changes. We advocate for producer interests from Agriculture Committees through USDA implementation.
Why OFW Law for Government Relations
Agriculture and food policy is a specialized practice that combines legal analysis with policy strategy. Four things distinguish OFW Law from the general government relations market.
A Law Firm, Not a Lobbying Shop
OFW Law is a law firm for regulated food and agriculture clients whose policy issues can become legal, compliance, or enforcement matters. When advocacy intersects with regulatory risk, our professionals handle both without handoffs to outside counsel.
Agriculture and Food Policy Specialization
Unlike general government relations firms, we concentrate exclusively on agriculture, food, and trade policy. Our team knows the USDA program offices, FDA divisions, Agriculture Committees, and appropriations subcommittees that matter to food and ag clients.
Bipartisan Relationships
We maintain working relationships across both parties in Congress and with administrations of both parties. Agriculture and food policy has historically been bipartisan — our relationships reflect that reality and give clients access regardless of political changes.
Former Agency Officials and Hill Staff
Our team includes former USDA officials and Congressional staff who bring institutional knowledge of how federal agencies interpret and implement legislation. This experience informs practical, actionable advocacy strategies, not theoretical policy advice.
Government Relations Team
Senior Advisors, Former Agency Officials, and Capitol Hill Veterans
Senior professionals and policy advisors who have served in USDA and FDA leadership roles, drafted legislation on the Hill, and led food and agriculture regulatory practice for decades.
Co-Managing Principal, USDA Practice Head
USDA, FDA, food safety, labeling, organic regulation, and APHIS counsel for food and agriculture clients.
Senior Policy Advisor
Former Senate Agriculture Committee staff. Farm Bill strategy, appropriations, and legislative advocacy.
Managing Principal, FDA Food Practice Head
FDA compliance and policy counsel. Advises on FDA enforcement, imports, and regulatory strategy.
Looking for our full attorney roster? View All OFW Law Professionals
Talk to a government relations attorney before your next policy decision
A short call with one of our professionals clarifies the federal levers that apply to your situation: Farm Bill provisions, agency rulemaking, appropriations, or trade policy and the realistic path forward. No commitment.
Is all it takes to know if OFW Law is the right team for your federal policy challenge.
Federal Agencies and Policy Areas We Cover
OFW Law’s government relations practice spans the federal agencies and policy issues most relevant to agriculture, food, and trade clients.
Federal Agencies
Congressional Committees
Policy Areas
Trade and International
Facing a Federal Policy Issue That Affects Your Business?
Whether you need Farm Bill advocacy, USDA regulatory engagement, FDA policy strategy, trade association counsel, or Congressional outreach, OFW Law’s team is ready to help.
OFW Law · 2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 4003 · Washington, DC 20006
Frequently Asked Questions About Government Relations Legal Services
What government relations services does OFW Law provide?
A government relations attorney represents clients before Congress and federal agencies on legislative and regulatory matters. At OFW Law, government relations services include Farm Bill strategy, federal appropriations advocacy, USDA and FDA regulatory engagement, coalition building, trade association counsel, Congressional testimony preparation, and agency comment drafting. Unlike general lobbying firms, a government relations law firm can also advise on the legal and compliance implications of policy changes — handling regulatory risk and policy advocacy within a single practice.
Can a law firm serve as government relations counsel for a trade association?
Yes. Many agricultural and food trade associations retain outside government relations counsel to supplement their internal policy staff. OFW Law serves as government relations counsel for trade associations by monitoring federal legislation, coordinating advocacy campaigns, preparing Congressional testimony, representing association positions before USDA, FDA, and other agencies, and building coalitions with aligned organizations. This arrangement gives associations access to attorneys who combine legal expertise with policy advocacy — particularly valuable when legislative or regulatory issues have compliance or enforcement implications.
What is a Farm Bill strategy and why does it matter for agriculture clients?
The Farm Bill is comprehensive federal legislation reauthorized approximately every five years that governs agricultural commodity programs, crop insurance, conservation, nutrition assistance (SNAP and WIC), trade promotion, rural development, and research funding. A Farm Bill strategy involves identifying which provisions affect a client’s operations, developing advocacy positions, coordinating with Congressional Agriculture Committee staff, building support among relevant members, and monitoring USDA implementation. For agriculture and food industry clients, Farm Bill provisions can directly affect market access, program eligibility, labeling requirements, and funding availability.
How is OFW Law different from a general lobbying firm?
OFW Law is a law firm, not a general lobbying shop. General lobbying firms advocate on policy issues but typically cannot advise on the legal, compliance, or enforcement consequences of the policies they advocate for. OFW Law’s government relations practice combines policy advocacy with legal counsel, so clients receive integrated advice when a legislative or regulatory issue has potential compliance, enforcement, or litigation implications. Our team focuses exclusively on agriculture, food, and trade policy, unlike multi-industry lobbying firms that spread their attention across dozens of sectors.
When should an agriculture company hire a government relations attorney?
Agriculture and food companies typically need a government relations attorney when facing Farm Bill reauthorization provisions affecting their operations, proposed USDA or FDA rules that change compliance requirements, federal appropriations decisions that impact program funding, trade policy changes affecting import/export access, or enforcement actions that raise both legal and policy questions. Companies also hire government relations attorneys proactively to shape legislation before it passes, build relationships with Congressional offices and agency officials, or join coalitions advocating for industry-wide policy objectives. The right time to engage is while policy decisions are still being shaped, not after a final rule publishes.