 |
Ballard Partners is the latest firm to sign on to represent Shein Technology, the Los Angeles-based arm of the embattled Singapore-based “instant fashion” retailer.
Shein, which filed documentation with the Securities and Exchange Commission last year to go public, has been criticized for its cozy ties with China, and concerns over its souring strategy and lax environmental controls.
Ballard, which has close ties to Donald Trump, will handle legislative and regulatory issues impacting the fashion and apparel industry, on-demand inventory, e-retailing and overall online competition, including trade related matters.
It also will educate policymakers about Shein’s economic impact in the US and its operating footprint.
Brian Ballad, who was Trump’s top fundraiser in Florida, leads the three-member Shein team the includes senior partner Syl Lukis and partner Lance Morgen, who served in the Trump White House as special assistant to the president for policy and strategy.
Morgen was principal advisor to Trump’s economic advisor Peter Navarrom who is currently serving a four-month prison sentence for ignoring a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 Committee, and policy advisor/speechwriter Stephen Miller.
Shein hired Missy Edward Strategies in April and Forbes-Tate, which is part of Public Policy Holding Company, earlier this month.
Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company banned by Defense Secretary Hegseth, has hired Ballard Partners for DC representation.
The Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development enrolls Venable for government relations services.
Coinbase has hired Checkmate Government Relations, which has close ties to the Trump administration, to handle matters related to digital assets as the Senate works on the Clarity Act.
Peter Thiel-backed Palantir Technologies has added Democratic firm Ferox Strategies to its DC lobbying line-up to handle data analytics and technology issues.
Former congressmen Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Jeff Denham (R-CA) have signed on to handle the “new” TikTok on issues related to internet technology and learning-enabled platforms.
