Faculty Profile: John "Dick" Lodge Jr

Dick Lodge is practice leader of the firm's Government Advocacy & Public Policy Group. He has advocated for the firm's clients with state government agencies for over twenty years. He is a registered lobbyist for business interests including financial institutions, healthcare providers, higher education, utilities, nuclear industry services and distilled spirits. Dick also acts for clients interested in state government contracts.

His practice includes:

• Lobbying Services – Dick represents business interests before the Tennessee General Assembly and the executive branch departments, agencies and commissions of Tennessee government. A current list of his clients may be found on the Tennessee Ethics Commission website.
• Advocacy Before Tennessee Government Officials – Dick represents clients with interests affected by state officials. This practice ranges from response to inquiries from the Tennessee Attorney General to negotiating economic incentive arrangements with appropriate state agencies, to advocating for healthcare organizations before the Health Services and Development Agency.
• State Purchasing and Contracting – Dick represents businesses that do or seek to do business with the state of Tennessee. He gives advice about the state's procedures for requests for proposals and invitations to bid. He also represents the firm's clients in procurement protest proceedings.
• Utilities and Education – Dick represents electric power cooperatives and other cooperative forms of business. He also represents both proprietary and nonprofit educational institutions.

In addition, he provides counsel to nonprofit entities including electric cooperatives and supports the firm's economic development and business relocation practice. 

Dick is former chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party and served as Legislative Director for United States Senator Jim Sasser.