From this week's National Journal: (subscription)

• When you're a company that's trying to turn up the heat on the U.S. Trade Representative's Office, it could pay to have a former head of USTR on legal retainer, writes Peter Stone. That is what Chevron is hoping. The oil giant is using an outside counsel, lawyer and former USTR chief Mickey Kantor, as one of several K Street lawyers and lobbyists pushing the Obama administration for help in a legal battle in Ecuador that could cost Chevron as much as $27 billion in damages.

• From the K Street Corridor: Armenian-Americans and the Turkish government are intensifying their lobbying Washington; Mexico has signed up two major public-affairs firms, APCO Worldwide and Qorvis Communications; Boston public-relations firm Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications is expanding its lobbying practice in the nation's capital.

• Labor leaders are holding their fire against President Obama, despite a series of legislative and other set backs, writes Kirk Victor. That labor lobbyists have muted their usual fierce barking in response to letdowns is noteworthy. "I am amazed that they are giving him a pass right now," said Victor Kamber, a veteran labor strategist. "I think there is a realization that all the pressure in the world -- what good is it going to do?"

• From On The Move: Vanda McMurtry has joined Davis & Harman as a partner in the law firm's legislative practice, where he will lobby primarily on insurance matters; The public-relations firm Rational PR has merged with the GOP advertising outfit Stevens and Schriefer Group to form Rational 360, a full-service strategic communications shop. Among the big names in the new company are partners Patrick Dorton, 40, Don Marshall, 41, and Russ Schriefer, 50.