Government Relations

Practice Overview

Our bipartisan government relations team is one of the largest in the state, bringing four decades of experience representing clients of all types and sizes to help them define their legislative agenda, foster legislative champions, and achieve their policy goals. Our diverse team includes former legislators, state agency leaders, and senior political staff with vast networks of long-term relationships in all areas of government.

We have a strong record as successful advocates because we have developed a model that draws upon our entire team to meet clients’ needs. Our clients receive access to and benefit from our collective experience and political intelligence to maximize opportunities for success. We pride ourselves on building longstanding relationships with clients and enjoy advocating on their behalf.

Practice Professionals

Daniel G. Larson

Daniel G. Larson

Director of Government Relations
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Ann T. Lenczewski

Ann T. Lenczewski

Government Relations, Tax Policy & Local Government
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H. Theodore Grindal

H. Theodore Grindal

Partner
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Amos A. Briggs

Amos A. Briggs

Government Relations
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Jasmine Epps-Flowers

Jasmine Epps-Flowers

Government Relations
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Alex T. Hassel

Alex T. Hassel

Government Relations
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Jessica E. Lindeen

Jessica E. Lindeen

Government Relations
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Kevin J. Matzek

Kevin J. Matzek

Government Relations
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Daniel L. Pollock

Daniel L. Pollock

Government Relations
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Cullen D. Sheehan

Cullen D. Sheehan

Government Relations
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Kate E. Wagner

Kate E. Wagner

Government Relations
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Carol J. Mraz

Carol J. Mraz

Senior Legislative Administrative Assistant
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Akorede Balogun

Akorede Balogun

Legislative Administrative Assistant
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Salma R. Eydarus

Salma R. Eydarus

Legislative Intern
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Lobbying and Advocacy

LGN clients rely on our substantive issue expertise and political strategy to navigate complex systems of state and local regulators, elected decision-makers, and stakeholders to advance their policy goals.

Hover over the boxes below to read more about the many services we offer. 

  • Bonding

    Our team has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for local governments, tribes, and nonprofits across the state, advancing critical infrastructure and other local projects, including community centers, parks facilities and systems, public safety facilities, tourist venues, water infrastructure projects, and more.

  • Commerce and Regulated Industries

    The LGN team has a track record of success assisting trade associations and corporations of every size in navigating Minnesota’s legislative process to win proactive reforms and to prevent regulatory overreach. Beyond the halls of the Capitol, our firm brings a wide network of key contacts within the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the Attorney General, and other regulatory bodies.

  • Education

    The LGN team brings an extensive background advocating at the Capitol and within the executive branch agencies on early education, K-12, and higher education issues, delivering favorable outcomes for our clients by passing education policy reforms and securing state funding opportunities.

  • Energy

    The LGN team brings a breadth of experience representing clients across the energy sector, with the necessary expertise and keen understanding of the ever-developing energy landscape. Our team helps clients strategically navigate this complex sector and its stakeholders to position them for success.

  • Environment

    The LGN team has been at the forefront of advocacy for many of Minnesota’s most prominent environment and natural resource issues. Clients receive trusted counsel and strategic insights to achieve their environmental policy goals and win long-term funding partnerships. Our experience includes navigating the environment committees at the legislature, Legacy Amendment and Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) opportunities, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

  • Healthcare

    LGN has a long tradition of comprehensive and successful representation of healthcare clients before the legislature and executive branch. LGN represents large hospital systems, academic medical centers, specialty physician organizations, ancillary healthcare providers, and public health organizations on a variety of policy issues. LGN has successfully advocated for clients on provider reimbursements, scopes of practice, and expanded access to care.

  • Housing

    The LGN team brings a deep understanding of the housing landscape in Minnesota, including Minnesota Housing Finance Agency policies, stakeholders, and funding mechanisms. We have a long history of representing key housing stakeholders before the legislature and have long-held relationships with key decision-makers on these issues.

  • Human Services

    LGN’s team offers significant human services expertise in the areas of Medicaid funding, facility licensing, workforce strategy, and support for providers serving our older adults, people with disabilities, and those experiencing behavioral health crises.

  • Labor

    Integral to our firm, LGN has a long tradition of comprehensive and successful representation of labor unions. Additionally, LGN helps clients of all kinds understand and navigate Minnesota’s labor landscape, including engagement with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI).

  • Local Government Representation

    LGN is the premier government relations team representing individual local governments at the state level. Our team has the municipal and legislative expertise required to advise and assist local units of government to protect and promote local interests on a broad range of issues. In the capital investment space alone, our team has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for local governments across the state, advancing critical infrastructure and other local projects including community centers, parks facilities and systems, public safety facilities, tourist venues, water infrastructure projects, and more.

  • Non-profits

    The LGN team has extensive expertise in nonprofit representation, including successfully securing millions in direct appropriations, advising on public policy engagement, and assisting clients with raising their profiles and state government relationships.

  • Public Safety

    LGN is proud of our work to support public servants across the state, having successfully represented clients to protect pensions, advocate for public safety best practices and funding, and navigate complicated public safety issues.

  • Taxes

    Our team has unparalleled experience in the legislative tax arena, representing and advising public, private, and nonprofit entities on complex policy issues across the tax continuum. Our team has assisted dozens of communities in achieving individual legislation to access taxation tools, redevelopment strategies and flexibility, tax increment financing legislation, construction materials sales tax exemptions, and more.

  • Technology

    The LGN team has decades of experience engaging state policymakers on emerging technology issues, as well as longstanding relationships with Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) leadership, partnering with clients on both policy matters and state IT procurement opportunities.

  • Transportation

    Our team has significant experience in advising and advocating for clients on transportation issues, securing millions of dollars in funding for transportation projects, preventing harmful tax and fee increases, and navigating the complex regulatory environment.

  • Tribal Government Representation

    The LGN team has a broad range of experience representing sovereign tribal governments in every committee jurisdiction at the state Capitol and across every executive branch agency. With long-standing relationships among key decision-makers and deep familiarity with the issues affecting both Indian country and the urban Indian community, our government relations professionals are positioned to offer insights and results for our tribal government partners.

Client Successes

Indian Health Board (IHB)

LGN secured a $7.5 million grant to the Indian Health Board (IHB) to support and promote healthcare access and health equity for the urban Indian community alongside an increased reimbursement rate for health services provided at IHB, addressing a longstanding inequity between tribally based IHS clinics and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). Additionally, LGN secured a $4 million cash appropriation in the bonding bill to fund the Menaandawiwe Wellness Campus expansion at the Indian Health Board, which translates from Ojibwe to “a place where healing happens.”

First Generation Down Payment Assistance Program

LGN secured $100 million for the newly imagined First Generation Down Payment Assistance Program. As part of our representation of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and the Homeownership Center, LGN advocates for funding and policy to address the racial homeownership gap and promote equitable access to homeownership. Designed to create homeownership opportunities for individuals and families in the BIPOC community, the program supports those who have been historically excluded from the generational wealth opportunities afforded by homeownership.

Special Municipal Protection Legislation

The LGN State Government Relations team worked to pass special legislation for the City of Vadnais Heights. The City of Vadnais Heights was projected to be seriously impacted by potential actions contemplates by the Minnesota Legislature regarding White Bear Lake water levels. The LGN team crafted and passed special legislation to protect the interests of the City as numerous area water issues were being debated at the Minnesota Legislature.

Historic State Investments

LGN has successfully advocated for historic state investments for our nonprofit clients including Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls Club, Wilderness Inquiry, Youth Intervention Programs Association, among others. These direct appropriations have allowed for transformative programming and expansion to fuel their missions. Our team excels at fostering connections with state leaders and cultivating champions at the Capitol to propel and expand our nonprofit clients’ impact across Minnesota.

I-94 Expansion

The LGN State Government Relations team secured 70 million dollars of state funding for this major transportation project. LGN worked with numerous Mayors, City Councilmembers and City Administrators to design and execute a successful legislative strategy.

Graduate Medical Education

LGN achieved enactment of the biggest increase in graduate medical education funding for its teaching hospitals in Minnesota state history. The five-year, $500 million initiative offers a critical new resource for expanding the state’s medical workforce into the future.

HERO Center

LGN State Government Relations team members created and executed a strategy to secure 9.8 million dollars in state funding to build the new public safety training facility in Cottage Grove. The HERO Center is a regional facility serving the east metro.

Roseville Tax Increment Finance District

The LGN State Government Relations team successfully provided a key exemption in Minnesota tax increment finance law to provide the City of Roseville the flexibility it needed for community goals.

Testimonials

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Steve Pontius, CEO, HealtheMed

“Whether you are a startup, like HealteMed, or a more established organization, the Lockridge Grindal Nauen Government Relations team can expertly help you open doors, overcome regulatory challenges, pass legislation, and build long-term relationships with key elected officials across all of state government.”

Brandt Erwin, President & Legal Counsel, Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association

“The Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association has had the good fortune to be represented by LGN at the Capitol for well over a decade on business and regulatory issues. The legislative expertise, advocacy skills, and relationship with legislators of their bipartisan lobbying team has been invaluable. They are the best in the state!”

Tony Wilson, Senior Director, State Government AffairsState Government Relations

“The network of relationships LGN’s team brings across the political spectrum has kept us continually engaged with the right people, regardless of the latest election results. I rely on their insights and knowledge of the state and local government landscape to ensure we always stay ahead of emerging technology issues.”

Andrea Mokros, Executive Vice President and Chief Public Affairs Officer for Fairview Health Services

“The Lockridge Grindal Nauen lobbying team’s depth of healthcare policy knowledge has been critical for us as we educate legislators on issues impacting our care delivery. Their bipartisan team has integrated seamlessly with us as we work toward finding solutions that serve our hospitals, medical professionals, and patients well.”

Bryan Donaldson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs

“Through their lobbying and advocacy efforts in collaboration with our statewide organization, the team at Lockridge Grindal Nauen was able to successfully secure workforce development funding for Boys and Girls Clubs throughout Minnesota. Their diligence and passion working with us goes far beyond any client-lobbyist relationship.”