State and Local Policy, Advocacy & Consulting

Overview

Strong relationships with state government leaders, legislators and officials can be vital to your organization’s success. Comprised of both lawyers and consultants, Faegre Drinker's state relations teams understand the processes, know the players and excel at effective advocacy before state legislative bodies and regulatory agencies. Our teams in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota partner with you to manage the challenges — and seize the opportunities — that emerge at the intersection of your organization and your state government. We help you thrive in today’s complex regulatory environment.

Our state relations professionals can help you advance your goals through:

Legislative and executive branch lobbying
Procurement, negotiation and maintenance of government contracts
Campaign finance and ethics compliance
Issues monitoring and public policy research
Economic development initiatives
Formation of public-private partnerships and public financing transactions

Faegre Drinker Consulting professionals do not act as attorneys for clients. Learn more about the Faegre Drinker Consulting practice.

State and Local Policy, Advocacy & Consulting Sectors

Insights & Events

Latest

Updates October 2025

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Proposes Permanent Rules Relating to Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)

Public Comments Can Be Submitted Until November 26, 2025

8 min read

Updates October 2025

Power and Energy Trends Shaping the Data Center Industry

Proactive Legal and Advocacy Strategies Are Increasingly Critical

State and Local Policy, Advocacy & Consulting

Overview

State and Local Policy, Advocacy & Consulting Sectors

Insights & Events

Latest

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Proposes Permanent Rules Relating to Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)

Power and Energy Trends Shaping the Data Center Industry

Megan Herber Discusses Health Care Price Transparency Policy With Oncology Practices

Better Together Starts With Being Whole Alone

Family is a System, Not a Solo Act

Minnesota Lawmakers Make Modest Changes to Earned Sick & Safe Time and Paid Leave, as Programs Move Towards Full Implementation

IndyBar’s Bill Watch Report – Informing Members on Vital Legislative Developments

A Collaborative Column: Has Practicing Law Really Changed?

Faegre Drinker Helps Secure Favorable Ruling in New Jersey Supreme Court Class Action Case

Faegre Drinker Counsels Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Through $650M Project

Insights

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Proposes Permanent Rules Relating to Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)

Power and Energy Trends Shaping the Data Center Industry

Megan Herber Discusses Health Care Price Transparency Policy With Oncology Practices

Minnesota Lawmakers Make Modest Changes to Earned Sick & Safe Time and Paid Leave, as Programs Move Towards Full Implementation

IndyBar’s Bill Watch Report – Informing Members on Vital Legislative Developments

A Collaborative Column: Has Practicing Law Really Changed?

Amid Deteriorating Budget Picture, Divided Minnesota Legislature Faces Difficult Budget Negotiations

Major Changes Proposed for Health Care Transactions in Indiana: From Attorney General Notice to Approval by State Merger Board

Republicans and DFLers Reach Agreement Ending Minnesota House Stand-Off

A Look at the Indiana Legislature’s Big-Ticket Items

Events

Past Events

Better Together Starts With Being Whole Alone

Family is a System, Not a Solo Act

How Mission-Driven Workplaces Spark Collective Energy

Building Better Construction Contracts 2024 - New York, NY

Cannabis Consumer Watch Congressional Briefing: The Path Forward for a Safe Cannabis Marketplace

News

Faegre Drinker Helps Secure Favorable Ruling in New Jersey Supreme Court Class Action Case

Faegre Drinker Counsels Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Through $650M Project

Faegre Drinker Consulting Strengthens Minnesota State Government Affairs Team

Diane Marasiu Carter Receives Government Affairs Society of Indiana ‘Allen C. Steere Award’

Faegre Drinker Elevates 6 Consulting Professionals to Principal

Meet The Team

Meet The Full State and Local Policy, Advocacy & Consulting Team

Joseph L. Smith, Jr.

Jessica C. Abrahams

Andrew Anderson

Joshua L. Andrews

Lenny D. Asaro

Brent A. Auberry

Maddie Augustus

Libby Baney Burstein

Lacey M. Berkshire

A. Scott Chinn

J. Murray Clark

Eileen M. Considine

Jonathan W. Dettmann

Tenley L. Drescher-Rhoades

Matthew A. Fontana

Chip Garver

Stephanie L. Gutwein

Joie C. Hand

Megan Hennen

Megan S. Herber

Patrick D. Hughes

Donovan M. Hurd

Cindy Irani

Jeffrey S. Jacobson

David H. Johnson

H. Max Kelln

Daniel L. Lewallen

Diane Masariu Carter

Kaitlin A. McKenzie

Elizabeth Leigh McLachlan

Patrick M. Miller

Timothy J. Moriarty

Olivia M. Pantoja

Dana B. Pashkoff

William L. Roberts

Geoffrey A. Sawyer III

Brett A. Seifried

Molly M. Sigel

Joseph L. Smith, Jr.