Practice Areas & Industries: Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

Practice/Industry Group Overview

Savvy business leaders know that successful interaction with the government is vital to their organizations’ business strategies. Organizations are impacted by legislative changes as well as governmental agency activities – and responding to change is essential to continued success. Fredrikson & Byron’s professionals understand how legislative decisions impact industries and are ready to help organizations develop an effective response plan. Some organizations wish to affect decisions before they are made. For these businesses, an active approach is necessary and our team’s solid relationships with key decision-makers is a necessary part of the plan for success.

"We are uniquely qualified to advocate for our clients because of our relationships with key governmental officials and in-depth understanding of the legislative process."

Our clients trust us to advocate and lobby on their behalf. We bring a high level of integrity to our work in representing them at the Minnesota legislature, the Governor’s office, and with state agencies. Our Government Relations professionals have a broad range of experience and knowledge that savvy business leaders want on their side. We also bring a high level of integrity to our work. Each year, 3,500 bills are introduced in over 52 committees, commissions and subcommittees at the Minnesota Legislature; it is our job to interpret and respond to them.

Services Available

We believe that providing quality service requires knowing the political environment and key stakeholders, as well as industry practices. It also requires listening and responding to our client’s specific goals, contracting needs, and budget requirements. Fredrikson & Byron’s professionals have extensive hands-on experience with state government, both at the legislature and with the administration, as well as with various local government entities. With more than twenty years of public service in federal, state, and local government, our team provides an entrée to key contacts as well as an in-depth understanding of the legislative process. We strategize, monitor, and advocate on behalf of clients, combining integrity with insight and knowledge to effectively work with key decision makers inside and outside the Minnesota Capitol.

Minnesota leaders trust our professionals’ recommendations when it comes to legislative and administrative ideas and solutions. Our combined experience provides clients with a  broad understanding of the inner workings of the Governor’s office, state agencies, and agency staff. We have a track record of collaboration with those who have commonality of interest with our clients’ needs. Our clients’ needs often lead them to various agencies. The solid knowledge we have of the system bridges the gap as we clarify these needs with agency staff and work together to find real solutions.

Our Approach

We start by gaining a thorough understanding of each client’s unique needs and objectives. We build on this with our extensive knowledge of the current legislative climate and political history. Partnering with our clients, we then identify the results we hope to achieve. Our government relations strategy involves detailed and measurable goals that include legislative discussions and presentations that are meaningful and effective.

Our team’s commitment to our clients is year-round. We view the transition between legislative sessions (interim) as a time for opportunity; laying the groundwork for new legislation while the legislature is at rest is a vital part of a successful government relations strategy. During the legislative interim, we use our connections to increase government officials’ awareness of our clients needs and ideas. We use the summer and fall months to relay information, visit legislators in their districts, and organize meetings between our clients and key legislators in order to prepare for the upcoming session.

Representative Clients

We represent businesses, non-profits, trade groups, and advocacy groups in a number of industries and on many different issues. Our strengths are in education, energy, health care, housing, human services, taxes, transportation, federal appropriations, and procurement. 

Community Connections

We believe that we have a responsibility to be good corporate citizens by being actively involved in groups that support the community and our clients. Our government relations staff are board members, committee members, and active participants in many groups outside the office, including:

• Citizen’s League
• Courage Center
• ElderCare Rights Alliance
• Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
• The German Marshall Fund
• The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
• The Minnesota Bar Association
• The Minnesota Business Partnership
• The Minnesota Government Relations Council

Practical Takeaway

Well-developed government relations plans play a key role in business strategies. To be successful, organizations should look for opportunities to expand their governmental knowledge and increase their involvement.