|
Hunton & Williams won't lobby for payday lenders; says ethical conflict prompts the change Saturday, Jan 05, 2008 - 12:08 AM By JEFF E. SCHAPIRO TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER One of the state's marquee law firms will not be lobbying for payday lenders this year because of an unspecified ethical conflict. Another top firm, meanwhile, is going to work for opponents of high-cost instant loans. Whittington Clement, a former member of the House of Delegates and Cabinet secretary, said Hunton & Williams will not lobby for CheckSmart in the 2008 General Assembly. Clement said he and Myles Louria, a nonlawyer who recently joined the firm from another lobbying operation, are withdrawing as representatives for CheckSmart because of a conflict of interest. Clement declined to elaborate. Richmond-based Hunton & Williams, among the biggest law firms in the country, represents an array of financial-services companies as well as individuals with extensive investments. It was not immediately clear which lobbying firm CheckSmart might hire as a replacement for Hunton & Williams. Clement last year was among nearly 20 lobbyists, some from other major law firms, enlisted by payday lenders in their continuing battle against interest-rate caps. The fight is expected to resume in the legislative session that begins Wednesday. Hunton & Williams is the second Richmond-area law firm to withdraw or alter its role in the payday-lending debate. Williams Mullen partner Reginald N. Jones was recently dropped by the state's credit unions because some of them objected to his dual role as their lobbyist and as an advocate for Community Financial Services Association, a trade group for the biggest payday lenders. LeClairRyan, a Richmond law firm with an extensive government and regulatory practice, this week was hired by a business-based group that is pressing for restrictions on payday lending. David W. Clarke and May H. Fox will represent Virginians Against Payday Loans. The organization was started by Ward R. Scull III of Newport News, a moving company and real estate executive. McGuireWoods, another big firm with extensive ties to both political parties, also is working for a foe of payday lenders, the Center for Responsible Lending, in Durham, N.C.
Contact Jeff E. Schapiro at (804) 649-6814 or jschapiro@timesdisp
|
|
Presbytery of the James |