PWHD Consulting Group

A sector of the PWHD business law practice, PWHD Consulting, offers clients strategic solutions that provide a strong foundation for successful enterprise and public policies. A full service issues management and government affairs group, the PWHD Consulting team represents non-profits, local governments, sports and entertainment companies, hospitality interests, real estate development firms and educational establishments, among others. Led by its Chairman, former elected official, Alan Diamonstein, the consulting team represents a wide range of experience, demonstrated results and distinguished associations from their years of work in Virginia’s Capitol, in business, and in public policy and legislative processes at the local, state and national level.

Issues Management: PWHD Consulting

Accurate analysis of issues, consensus building, and effective communication are the foundation for successful enterprise and public policies. Our consulting group offers clients strategic solutions that provide this foundation and ensure new opportunities.

PWHD Consulting is a full service issues management and government affairs group affiliated with Patten Wornom Hatten & Diamonstein law firm based in Newport News.

With two offices, one in Newport News and one in Richmond, Virginia, PWHD is poised to provide full service governmental affairs and business development.

The Newport News office is located at 12350 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 300, Newport News, Virginia 23602. The telephone number is (757) 223-4500 and the administrative assistant is Lynn Watkins.

The Richmond office is located at 108 North 8th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, just one block from the Virginia State Capitol, steps from the Supreme Court, U.S. Federal Courts, and state office buildings, which ensures convenient access to legislative, judicial, business and regulatory activities and meetings.

Our clients include local governments, non-profit and educational institutions, sports and entertainment companies, residential and commercial real estate development firms, hospitality interests, and business groups, among others..

The PWHD Consulting team represents a wide range of experience, demonstrated results and distinguished associations from their years of work in Virginia’s Capitol, and in public policy and legislative processes at the local, state and national level. In addition, nationally recognized attorneys in the firm, including Robert Hatten and Donald Patten, among other distinguished partners, are easily added to the team when needed to manage the issues that matter to our clients.

Alan Diamonstein, Chairman of the PWHD Consulting Group, has an outstanding record as a former elected official representing the Virginia Peninsula for more than 30 years, and as a statewide leader in issues that have benefited every community in the Commonwealth.

As a partner in the PWHD law firm, he specializes in public policy issues and priorities, economic development law and real estate ventures. As a principal in the Consulting Group, he brings extensive knowledge of the legislative and budget process to his clients, as well as excellent working relationships with elected and appointed officials across the state and throughout the country. He is a current member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors, and has served as chairman of the internationally recognized Mariners’ Museum in Newport News.

As a senior member of the Virginia House of Delegates, he served as the chairman of several key legislative committees, and was a budget conferee on the Appropriations Committee for many years. He is widely recognized for his support of Virginia’s college and university system and the housing industry. He served on several Presidential Commissions and led the Virginia Housing Study Commission for more than 20 years.

He has always been active in local, state and national educational, civic, arts and professional organizations. Past and present affiliations include the Board of Trustees for the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Foundation, an advocacy organization for mental health and disabilities issues; the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; the Board of the Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowship; and are a Life Member of the Virginia Jaycees.

A native and resident of Newport News, Virginia, he attended the University of Virginia, and, after completing a tour with the U.S. Air Force, received his B.S. degree in commerce. He earned his law degree at the University of Virginia Law School.

He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Christopher Newport University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the College of William and Mary. He is married to Beverly Hicks Diamonstein and they live in Newport News. You may reach Alan at (757) 223-4500 or adiamonstein@pwhd.com.

Laura Bateman, President of PWHD Consulting is a politically astute and solutions-oriented business executive with extensive experience in specialized government and public affairs across several practice areas.

Laura has a diverse career trajectory that translates into a breadth of experience and knowledge of business and municipal operations, both large and small, as well as government and public relations solutions that support the bottom line goals of her clients.

Using her laser-guided knowledge of federal, state and local government, Laura has built a successful career mapping out legislative agendas and lobbying to achieve customer goals. She has been highly successful in delivering communications for government and private enterprise, and has a history of leading public and governmental affairs activities that support the bottom-line financial goals of the organization. She has proven her ability to drive client vision and goals to customer galvanization, business growth, and municipal betterment.

Laura previously served as Vice President of Public Affairs for Columbia Gas of Virginia. Her business background also includes nine years as the managing partner of two small businesses in Key West, Florida. She is an effective public speaker and has a working knowledge of media relations, account management and grassroots communication.

Her record in legislative and issues management includes development of an integrated and successful approach to regulatory processes, government relations, customer contact and outreach for energy companies. She also provided leadership in the successful effort to re-write the Code of Virginia to allow the expansion of alternative fuel vehicles, including tax incentives, revolving loan funds for municipalities, and allowing the use of HOV lanes by clean special fuels.

In addition, Laura was appointed by two Governors to serve as the first representative from the natural gas industry on the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission.

Advancing her energy industry experience, Laura was elected twice to serve as president of the Virginia Oil and Gas Association by its Board. She is also the former Chair of the Virginia Underground Utility Protection Service, and former Board member of the Thomas Jefferson Institute of Public Policy.

She is a current Board member of Virginians for Integrity in Government and the Casemate Museum Foundation at historic Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia.

Laura brings 27 years of public policy and government relations experience to the firm. A native of Newport News, Virginia, Laura is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and also attended the Wharton Executive Development Program in Philadelphia. She lives in the Fan District in Richmond, where she is involved in numerous civic organizations.

PWHD Consulting is associated with the Newport News, VA law firm of Patten Wornom Hatten & Diamonstein.

You may reach Laura at (804) 405-5643 or lbateman@pwhd.com.

Visit us on the web at www.pwhd.com.