LGN Invited to Speak at Humphrey School of Public Affairs

LGN at the Humphrey School

LGN Government Relations team members, Amos Briggs and Jess Lindeen, were invited to speak with a graduate class at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota called “State Governing and Legislating: Working the Process.” The course is instructed by Briana Bierschbach who is a political reporter for the Star Tribune. 

This course aims to give students practical experience in government. Speakers visit the class each week to talk about a different aspect of working at the Capitol. LGN was invited to “lobby” day to share more about the important work we do on behalf of our clients. It was a great discussion with a class full of future leaders.

The Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota ranks among the country’s top professional public policy and planning schools, widely recognized for its success in advancing the common good through a comprehensive, world-class program. The school offers six distinctive master’s degrees, a doctoral degree, and five certificate programs that match students’ passion with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to solve real-world challenges. We were honored to be invited as guests and are excited to see where the future leads these students.

LGN Government Relations at Humphrey School

LGN Participates in Voting Rights Symposium

Voting Rights - FairVote Minnesota

Our Government Relations team attended FairVote Minnesota’s Symposium on Voting Rights: Our Past, Our Present, Our Future at the University of St. Thomas this week. The event brought together a diverse and influential gathering of thought leaders, students, community members, and political figures including Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Attorney General Keith Ellison.

Participants engaged in meaningful conversations that looked back at our history and the evolution of voting rights, tackled the challenges our democracy currently faces, explored critical reforms and opportunities, and discussed how we can work together to build a more representative and inclusive future for our state and our country.

It was a great event to start Black History Month as we work towards building a more inclusive, multi-racial democracy in our state and for our future.

Pictured is LGN State Government Relations team member Jess Lindeen with House Majority Whip Representative Athena Hollins.

Debate Champions

MN State Debate Champions

Over the weekend, LGN Partner Kate Baxter-Kauf‘s daughter, Kiernan, and her partner Max Ulven emerged as MSHSL State Debate Champions in Policy Debate after 8 challenging rounds. Kate is a coach and advisory board member for the Minnesota Urban Debate League (MNUDL), whose programs support competitive academic debate in urban Twin Cities schools and enable more than 1000 students per year to research, learn, and argue.  LGN is a longtime supporter of the MNUDL – partner Gregg Fishbein is a founding and longtime advisory board member, and LGN has long been an annual sponsor of the Mayor’s Challenge, the MNUDL’s longest-running annual fundraiser.

LGN proudly supports MNUDL’s programs which empower students, like Kiernan, to become policymakers addressing global issues. These initiatives help foster self-confidence and inspire debaters to extend their advocacy skills into their local communities.

Congratulations to all teams that competed at the State Debate Championship. What an inspiring group of future leaders!

MN Urban Debate League
Ramsey County Family Sponsorship Program

LGN GIVES BACK – Family Sponsorship Program

This past holiday season, LGN proudly continued its tradition of participating in Ramsey County’s Family Sponsorship Program. Through this program, community sponsors are paired with individuals and families in need. Sponsors have the unique privilege of personally selecting and wrapping gifts for their matched families.

This year, LGN, along with 320 other sponsors, contributed to making the holidays more joyous for a total of 1,795 individuals across 454 families who receive social services.

A special thank you to our dedicated wrapping crew: Barb, Kelly, Heather, and Amber for helping ensure beautiful gifts were delivered to our selected family!

You can learn more and see how you can get involved for 2024 at: https://www.ramseycounty.us/…/holiday-sponsorship-program

LGN Celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

On Monday, several LGN government relations team members were fortunate enough to spend the first official Minnesota state holiday of Indigenous Peoples’ Day with the Indian Health Board at a site blessing for the new Menaandawiwe Wellness Campus in Minneapolis. The Lockridge Grindal Nauen GR team has the privilege of representing the Indian Health Board at the Capitol, and were thrilled to be able to support their efforts to secure state capital support for this visionary project, which will expand available medical, dental, counseling, and recovery services. LGN team members joined Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, US Senator Tina Smith, DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead, Senators Kunesh, Wiklund, and Mohamed, and Representative Sencer-Mura (and Representative Heather Keeler who was with us in spirit but honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day in her own community). Finally, we heartily thank Dr. Patrick Rock, IHB’s CEO and Medical Director, for the opportunity to support your leadership and vision.

LGN Partner Interviewed for Article Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Minnesota Environmental Policy Act

LGN partner David Zoll was interviewed for an article celebrating and reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act.  The Act, which requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement for projects with the potential to adversely affect the environment, is one of the cornerstones of Minnesota environmental law.  The article draws on the experiences of advocates, regulated parties, government officials, and attorneys to highlight the Act’s history and continuing importance.

Class Act, LGN’s Softball Team, Completes 2023 Season

Class Act, Lockridge Grindal Nauen’s softball team for the Hennepin County Bar Association’s Annual Lawyer League, finished out a fantastic 2023 season!  Law firms and government units field teams that come together from across the Twin Cities to play and build camaraderie, and LGN has had a team with Gustafson Gluek and Zimmerman Reed for more than a decade! This year, associates Aaron Hove and Paul Buchel captained the team to a 6-3-1 season and a playoff berth.

LGN Associate Attends the Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy

LGN Associate Arielle Wagner attended the Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy as part of the 2023 cohort. The CBLA is an annual, multi-day program for diverse bar association leaders, which provides leadership training and professional development programs which will benefit current and future leaders of bar associations, and the legal profession overall. This year’s CBLA was hosted in Minneapolis, MN from June 25-27. 

LGN Sponsors Twin Cities Cardozo Society 22nd Annual Dinner

LGN was proud to sponsor the Twin Cities Cardozo Society’s 22nd Annual Dinner on June 22nd. Steve Hunegs, Alan Milavetz, and Judah Druck were honored at the event for their commitment to serving the Jewish and general communities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The Twin Cities Cardozo Society is a place for Jewish attorneys, judges, and law students to network and serve the community. They strengthen bonds among legal professionals through educational, social and philanthropic activities, and offer opportunities for communal involvement and leadership.

LGN Sponsors WithAll Golf Tournament

LGN was proud to sponsor a WithAll’s golf event on June 5 at the Minikahda Club in Minneapolis! WithAll provides resources and education to parents, teachers, coaches, and health providers so they can help kids develop a positive body image and relationship with food. WithAll also provides recovery support grants to folks in treatment for an eating disorder. 

We are honored to be a partner in this important work. LGN associate Derek Waller serves on the board of WithAll and he attended the event with colleagues from LGN’s health law practice, including David Asp, Jennifer Jacobs, and Kristen Marttila.