Overview of Federal, State and Local Government Relations

Local governments, associations, Indian tribes and businesses of every size must be prepared to quickly and positively influence the legislative process at the state and federal levels. The Lockridge Grindal Nauen team helps our clients:

Lockridge Grindal Nauen is proud of our loyal and longstanding relationships with our clients. We are successful advocates because we listen to and counsel our clients, and find strategic and creative ways to meet their needs. At the Capitols, and among cities and counties, we have a reputation for being knowledgeable, trustworthy and politically savvy. Through our broad-based political affiliations we have developed strong, long-term, personal connections with lawmakers and agency staff in Minnesota and Washington, D.C. LGN team members in all practice areas collaborate to offer our clients services in the boardroom, courtroom and capitol.

In additional to our lobbying services, Lockridge Grindal Nauen attorneys have extensive experience in the niche area of campaign finance and election law. Our attorneys:

Minnesota

The Lockridge Grindal Nauen Local and State Government Relations team is balanced, well-connected and issue-oriented. Our professionals effectively advocate for our clients by working with lawmakers regardless of where they are on the political spectrum. Each LGN team member has a unique perspective developed over years of political involvement locally and nationally. Many have held senior-level staff and appointed positions in Democratic, Republican and independent parties and campaigns.

Washington, D.C.

Lockridge Grindal Nauen is the one of the few Minnesota-based law firms with a government relations office in Washington, D.C. The firm's Federal Government Relations team is a diverse group of professionals with a broad range of federal, state and local government experience. LGN has a focus on:

Our team also has experience advocating on energy, agricultural, environmental, finance issues as well as on behalf of small and large businesses, non-profit organizations and government entities. The Federal Relations Group creates value by applying proven strategies to realize success and advance client objectives. Our experts work with each client to develop a unique and focused strategic plan with clear targets and measured outcomes. Critical plan elements include our insights on effective opportunities in the political arena given the existing regulatory and legislative climates. Our goal is to provide a solid return on investment and measurable success for each of our federal relations clients.

Making it Happen

The Lockridge Grindal Nauen team is unique among Minnesota-based lobbying firms because we execute a multifaceted approach to representing our clients' needs at the Capitol including grassroots organization, association management and public relations as integral parts of a successful legislative strategy. Working together, LGN attorneys, lobbyists, organizers and communicators represent and engage our clients in the legislative process. The LGN team helps our clients manage groups, mobilize stakeholders, communicate their messages, and be engaged in the political process - in full compliance with state and federal campaign finance and election law. We also are uniquely positioned to provide the most comprehensive services to health care provider organizations, local governments, corporations and associations. We combine government relations at the state and the national level along with administrative services that provide each organization with the tools to succeed in an extremely competitive environment.

Lobbying

Legislators, Congressional representatives and local elected officials are privileged to represent the interests of those who elected them while working for the good of Minnesota and the United States. Non-elected officials implement the laws and administer the rules that guide our ordered society. Elected and non-elected officials rely on the expertise of lobbyists and the organizations they represent to bring good ideas and pragmatism to the legislative process. Lockridge Grindal Nauen is dedicated to being an advocate of our clients' interests at the point where diverse interests converge in Minnesota and Washington, D.C. We represent our clients by:

  • planning strategically for the long-term;
  • strengthening relationships among lawmakers and our clients;
  • communicating persuasively; and,
  • earning our prestigious reputation by continuing to be responsive, thorough, productive, dependable and innovative.

Grassroots Organizing

When like-minded people rally around a cause, a lone voice becomes a compelling force. Lockridge Grindal Nauen believes grassroots advocacy occupies an important niche in effective government relations. To be successful, LGN counsels clients to organize their grassroots stakeholders, plan for the future, and build and maintain long-lasting relationships among organizational leadership and legislators. The LGN team consults with clients to determine the extent of their government relations needs and offers solutions by:

  • building and maintaining key contact networks of grassroots advocates and legislators;
  • training the organization's members to be effective communicators;
  • scheduling and staffing meetings among grassroots advocates and legislators;
  • tracking the organization's legislative priorities and sending regular updates;
  • providing computer-based communications support through the LGN Grassroots Action Center, or designing and maintaining a customized action center; and,
  • connecting the organization to other groups with similar goals to gain strength in numbers.

Association Management

To maintain long-lasting relationships and promote effective communication of a common goal, many LGN clients benefit from creating an association of stakeholders. Lockridge Grindal Nauen offers the ideal package of government relations services and administrative services for medical specialty societies and other related medical organizations such as consortiums of organizations, specialized interest organizations, and alliances for achieving specific and focused objectives. The LGN team has extensive experience in association management and assists clients by:

  • identifying benefits of forming an association;
  • tailoring services to meet the identified needs of each organization.
  • drafting association by-laws and governance documents;
  • recommending methods of communicating among association members; and,
  • assisting in developing strength at the grassroots.

Public Relations

Strength and clarity of message will give the edge to anyone engaged in the legislative process. Lockridge Grindal Nauen has a reputation of being persuasive, knowledgeable, thorough and committed to serving the best interests of our clients. We help our clients effectively communicate their message to lawmakers and the public.