Matt Schafer, Lockridge Grindal Nauen’s Grassroots Coordinator, was recently featured in the August 28, 2006 edition of the Saint Paul Legal Ledger (See below). The article provides a salient description of the grassroots services offered to the firm’s clients. Contact Matt Schafer today to see if Lockridge Grindal Nauen can help your firm enhance its presence at the Capitol.

Getting down to grassroots

Matt Schafer’s mission at the Lockridge Grindal Nauen law and lobbying firm is to connect average citizens with lawmakers.

By Charley Shaw

Legal Ledger Staff Writer

Grassroots coordinator Matt Schafer has a job that is closely linked with his ideals: He brings people together with state legislators.

“I’m sort of a purist when it comes to democracy,” Schafer said. “I’ve always believed that a lot of the problems we see with government today, regardless of what level it’s at, can be drawn to just not enough people getting involved in the political process.”

While grassroots efforts might seem the province of political parties and large advocacy groups, Schafer does grassroots work for prominent Minneapolis law and lobbying firm Lockridge Grindal Nauen.

Schafer joined the firm last year as it launched the new grassroots component of its government relations practice. Through an assortment of services, clients get active in legislative affairs. Schafer’s role complements the stable of lobbyists at the firm by bringing clients, especially membership-based organizations, in contact with legislators.

“What we’ve been doing is helping some of the groups build legislative networks, which entails developing and maintaining relationships between association members and their legislators,” Schafer said.

Ted Grindal, a lobbyist for 23 years at the Capitol and the firm’s partner in charge of government relations, said the grassroots offerings allow Lockridge to “create more comprehensive services for our clients.”

It is both an added benefit for existing customers and an extra service to entice prospective clients, he said.

Membership-based clients of the firm include the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology, the Minnesota Ambulatory Health Care Coalition and the Minnesota Medical Group Management Association.

These groups have members located all over the state, and Schafer informs their members about legislative issues and brings them together with legislators.

The firm has built a list of people and their connections to the Legislature. The list helps Schafer match group members with legislators.

“When you come to game day and you need an association and their members to contact their legislators, you’re maximizing your ability as an organization to have an effect at the Capitol,” Schafer said.

Schafer said the input can be beneficial to legislators and clients alike.

Schafer said he tries to schedule meetings in legislators’ districts. In meetings, Schafer fields questions about legislation but tries to let his clients talk about how they are affected by legislative proposals.

Schafer is from Wyoming and served in the Marines for four years as a journalist. He was stationed in Washington, D.C., and observed the political workings of the nation’s capital. He also was stationed in Okinawa and the southeastern Pacific.

He went on to do public affairs and writing for the veterans group Fleet Reserve Association in Washington. He became involved in the organization’s legislative affairs and ran a grassroots campaign for the organization.

Schafer said he finds it rewarding when people who otherwise aren’t involved in the political process get to talk to legislators.

“I get the most satisfaction … seeing how empowered they are after the meeting,” Schafer said.

MAO Members Set the Standard in Eagan

As the State Legislature gears up for the 2006 session, Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology (MAO) members can rest assured that legislators in Eagan know their concerns. Dr. David Johnson (pictured on the left), who practices at the HealthPartners Specialty Center in St. Paul, and resides in Eagan recently met with his legislator, Rep. Lynn Wardlow (R-38B).

They had a pleasant conversation on a variety of topics ranging from health care to education to legendary wrestler Dan Gable. Rep. Wardlow taught mathematics for 31 years in Rosemount, Apple Valley and Eagan, and also coached wrestling and football. Johnson and Dr. Keith Carlson, also from Eagan, both maintain positive working relationships with the 38th District's other two legislators, Senator Mike McGinn (R-38) and Rep. Tim Wilkin (R-38A).

Lockridge Grindal Nauen scheduled and supported Dr. Johnson's appointment with Rep. Wardlow in conjunction with its services offered in the Grassroots Advocacy arena. The firm is already helping members of some of its association based clients such as the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology establish and maintain working relationships with their legislators. To learn more about our services, please contact us.

www.locklaw.com

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Lockridge Grindal Nauen Our People Government Relations- State and Federal Practice Areas Events Endorsements Media Community Summer Associate Program Contact Us Map & Directions Government Relations CURRENT EVENTS LGN 2008 Session Wrap-Up Legislative Alerts Legislative Updates Current Political News Political Tips Helpful Links Clients Grassroots Action Center About Grassroots From the Field Login	Grassroots From the Field LGN Grassroots Coordinator Featured in Saint Paul Legal Ledger Matt Schafer, Lockridge Grindal Nauen’s Grassroots Coordinator, was recently featured in the August 28, 2006 edition of the Saint Paul Legal Ledger (See below). The article provides a salient description of the grassroots services offered to the firm’s clients. Contact Matt Schafer today to see if Lockridge Grindal Nauen can help your firm enhance its presence at the Capitol. Getting down to grassroots Matt Schafer’s mission at the Lockridge Grindal Nauen law and lobbying firm is to connect average citizens with lawmakers. By Charley Shaw Legal Ledger Staff Writer Grassroots coordinator Matt Schafer has a job that is closely linked with his ideals: He brings people together with state legislators. “I’m sort of a purist when it comes to democracy,” Schafer said. “I’ve always believed that a lot of the problems we see with government today, regardless of what level it’s at, can be drawn to just not enough people getting involved in the political process.” While grassroots efforts might seem the province of political parties and large advocacy groups, Schafer does grassroots work for prominent Minneapolis law and lobbying firm Lockridge Grindal Nauen. Schafer joined the firm last year as it launched the new grassroots component of its government relations practice. Through an assortment of services, clients get active in legislative affairs. Schafer’s role complements the stable of lobbyists at the firm by bringing clients, especially membership-based organizations, in contact with legislators. “What we’ve been doing is helping some of the groups build legislative networks, which entails developing and maintaining relationships between association members and their legislators,” Schafer said. Ted Grindal, a lobbyist for 23 years at the Capitol and the firm’s partner in charge of government relations, said the grassroots offerings allow Lockridge to “create more comprehensive services for our clients.” It is both an added benefit for existing customers and an extra service to entice prospective clients, he said. Membership-based clients of the firm include the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology, the Minnesota Ambulatory Health Care Coalition and the Minnesota Medical Group Management Association. These groups have members located all over the state, and Schafer informs their members about legislative issues and brings them together with legislators. The firm has built a list of people and their connections to the Legislature. The list helps Schafer match group members with legislators. “When you come to game day and you need an association and their members to contact their legislators, you’re maximizing your ability as an organization to have an effect at the Capitol,” Schafer said. Schafer said the input can be beneficial to legislators and clients alike. Schafer said he tries to schedule meetings in legislators’ districts. In meetings, Schafer fields questions about legislation but tries to let his clients talk about how they are affected by legislative proposals. Schafer is from Wyoming and served in the Marines for four years as a journalist. He was stationed in Washington, D.C., and observed the political workings of the nation’s capital. He also was stationed in Okinawa and the southeastern Pacific. He went on to do public affairs and writing for the veterans group Fleet Reserve Association in Washington. He became involved in the organization’s legislative affairs and ran a grassroots campaign for the organization. Schafer said he finds it rewarding when people who otherwise aren’t involved in the political process get to talk to legislators. “I get the most satisfaction … seeing how empowered they are after the meeting,” Schafer said. MAO Members Set the Standard in Eagan As the State Legislature gears up for the 2006 session, Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology (MAO) members can rest assured that legislators in Eagan know their concerns. Dr. David Johnson (pictured on the left), who practices at the HealthPartners Specialty Center in St. Paul, and resides in Eagan recently met with his legislator, Rep. Lynn Wardlow (R-38B). They had a pleasant conversation on a variety of topics ranging from health care to education to legendary wrestler Dan Gable. Rep. Wardlow taught mathematics for 31 years in Rosemount, Apple Valley and Eagan, and also coached wrestling and football. Johnson and Dr. Keith Carlson, also from Eagan, both maintain positive working relationships with the 38th District's other two legislators, Senator Mike McGinn (R-38) and Rep. Tim Wilkin (R-38A). Lockridge Grindal Nauen scheduled and supported Dr. Johnson's appointment with Rep. Wardlow in conjunction with its services offered in the Grassroots Advocacy arena. The firm is already helping members of some of its association based clients such as the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology establish and maintain working relationships with their legislators. To learn more about our services, please contact us.
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