Making an Alliance Official (Kissinger/McLarty + Covington & Burling )

Two government relations powerhouses spanning both Republican and Democratic administrations are hooking up in a "strategic alliance."

After 18 months of working together on an ad hoc basis, the international advisory consultancy of Kissinger McLarty Associates and the law firm of Covington & Burling are making their alliance official. They'll market their wares together and work on client matters as a team, when appropriate -- it's a "preferred relationship," so if there's a conflict, either firm can seek help elsewhere.

The two firms will coordinate their legal and strategic efforts on government relations, public policy, regulatory issues, trade, homeland security and other areas for clients.

"It's one-stop shopping," said Stuart Eizenstat, head of Covington's international practice. "KMA doesn't do any lobbying, and we do. . . . They have contacts in Latin American and Asian governments that we don't."

more.......

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31042-2003Oct1.html

hard to know where fiction stops and reality starts...