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The Adams and Reese LLP Government Relations Team is a premier lobbying group in Alabama. Our team includes former members of the executive and legislative branches of government with over 80 years of combined experience working inside and outside of state and local government. We achieve success for our clients as a result of strong personal relationships that we maintain with government officials and leaders. Just as importantly, we know the processes and procedures of the executive and legislative branches inside and out.

We serve a diverse client base with interests ranging from healthcare, education, municipalities, non-profits, associations, manufacturing, defense, infrastructure, alcohol and hospitality.

15-20 years

Mark Gaines Named to Alabama Today's 32 Powerful and Influential Alabamians to Know

"Mark Gaines has been around for decades, bringing a wealth of knowledge, decades-long relationships, and a positive attitude to the political arena in Alabama."


Southern Political Report - The South's Top Government Affairs Firms

"The law firm of Adams and Reese placed #1 in the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee and also ranked in the top five in Mississippi and South Carolina.

Adams and Reese has a long-standing reputation as one of the region's most prominent Government Relations firms now with 16 offices in 15 markets across the Southern United States and Washington, D.C."

Mark Gaines lobbies at the local, state and federal level - in Alabama and Washington, D.C. - advising corporate clients on regulatory, legislative and economic development matters. His clients include companies in the telecommunications, road and bridge construction, infrastructure, financial, pharmaceutical, health care, alcohol, and defense industries as well as municipal governments and educational institutions. Having spent 15 years in state government and more than a decade providing government relations services, Mark has developed long-term personal and professional relationships with important decision makers at every level of government. He is skilled at building political coalitions to achieve client objectives.

Prior to joining Adams and Reese, Mark served as Probate Judge for Jefferson County and was elected to four terms in the Alabama House of Representatives. During his time in the legislature, he served on various legislative committees and commissions and served as the Republican Leader of the House and Chair of the House Republican Caucus. Mark has managed, consulted or counseled dozens of political campaigns, grassroots efforts and ballot initiatives, including races for Governor, U.S. Senate, judicial offices, and state legislative seats.

Prior to joining the firm, Mark was in private law practice concentrating in the areas of real estate, probate, wills, trusts and business entities. He tried many jury and non-jury cases to verdict in courts throughout Alabama.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships:
Alabama House of Representatives, Member, 1990-2005
Jefferson County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, Vice Chair, 2004-2005
Jefferson County Coroner and Medical Examiner's Board, Member, 1998-2005
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, Commissioner, 1994-2005
Probate Judge of Jefferson County, 2005-2007

  • (573) 353-8279

  • 235 E High StreetSuite 301Jefferson CityMO65101

Clarkston Nelson Government Solutions is a full-service governmental relations and advocacy firm located in Jefferson City, Missouri. Although recently founded, our team shares a longstanding, respected reputation in the Missouri State Capitol. Our uniquely qualified professionals have decades of combined experience working in the Missouri state legislature, Executive Branch and state agencies.

The world of politics has changed over the years making it essential for businesses to have an effective and efficient working relationship with policy makers. Our team holds extensive policy knowledge, strong communication and relationship-building skills and precise legislative strategies resulting in successful governmental advocacy for our clients.

At Clarkston Nelson, we believe our teamwork approach based on years of experience, hard work and dedication to our client's interests provide a strong route to client advocacy and effective results bridging the gap between business and government.

FIRM SPECIALTY
DIRECT LOBBYING
In a world of constant change due to term-limits, ever changing political winds and executive branch turnover, we at Clarkston Nelson adapt and thrive due to our extensive experience and hard work. We work extremely hard to successfully help our clients reach their advocacy goals through our professionalism and unique understanding of the legislative and executive process. We provide direct lobbying efforts to shape legislation and regulations from the beginning to implementation. Our firm is capable of providing all services necessary such as legislation and issue monitoring, public engagement counseling, public testimony, and coalition building.

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
We believe that public opinion shapes much of the debate and decisions at the government level. Clarkston Nelson have a long history of working with clients in the preparation and development of messaging to assist in their advocacy efforts before the legislature, regulators or any other decision-making body. Our strategic communications will be aimed at reaching our client's underlying goal and often can be conveyed to the media and public to potentially sway opinion to our favor. Often times, strategic communications are aided with coalition building efforts to expand our sphere of influence and find additional partners that share with our goals and preferred outcomes.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Our firm recognizes the vast importance of relationship building throughout the political, regulatory, and industry sectors. We believe healthy relationships are built on honest communication and respect. We work diligently with legislators and department contacts to know our clients and understand why their issues matter. Clarkston Nelson strive to maintain professional and positive relations with state elected officials and decision-makers and can utilize our relationships to assist clients with ensuring their issues are properly understood and considered when needed.

DOUG NELSON spent five years as Missouri's State Commissioner of Administration working with all branches of government and every executive branch department on contracting and procurement matters. As Commissioner, he oversaw more than 2,000 active procurement contracts, information technology and cybersecurity issues, bond issuances and budget matters. Along with Doug's unmatched experience in all types of government contract issues, his extensive network of national and state contacts makes him a great resource to clients. Doug also spent more than 18 years as an Assistant Missouri Attorney General focusing on consumer and contract litigation and administrative/regulatory matters. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987 from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and Law degree in 1990 from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Clarkston Nelson Government Solutions is a full-service governmental relations and advocacy firm located in Jefferson City, Missouri. Although recently founded, our team shares a longstanding, respected reputation in the Missouri State Capitol. Our uniquely qualified professionals have decades of combined experience working in the Missouri state legislature, Executive Branch and state agencies.

The world of politics has changed over the years making it essential for businesses to have an effective and efficient working relationship with policy makers. Our team holds extensive policy knowledge, strong communication and relationship-building skills and precise legislative strategies resulting in successful governmental advocacy for our clients.

At Clarkston Nelson, we believe our teamwork approach based on years of experience, hard work and dedication to our client's interests provide a strong route to client advocacy and effective results bridging the gap between business and government.

FIRM SPECIALTY
DIRECT LOBBYING
In a world of constant change due to term-limits, ever changing political winds and executive branch turnover, we at Clarkston Nelson adapt and thrive due to our extensive experience and hard work. We work extremely hard to successfully help our clients reach their advocacy goals through our professionalism and unique understanding of the legislative and executive process. We provide direct lobbying efforts to shape legislation and regulations from the beginning to implementation. Our firm is capable of providing all services necessary such as legislation and issue monitoring, public engagement counseling, public testimony, and coalition building.

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
We believe that public opinion shapes much of the debate and decisions at the government level. Clarkston Nelson have a long history of working with clients in the preparation and development of messaging to assist in their advocacy efforts before the legislature, regulators or any other decision-making body. Our strategic communications will be aimed at reaching our client's underlying goal and often can be conveyed to the media and public to potentially sway opinion to our favor. Often times, strategic communications are aided with coalition building efforts to expand our sphere of influence and find additional partners that share with our goals and preferred outcomes.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Our firm recognizes the vast importance of relationship building throughout the political, regulatory, and industry sectors. We believe healthy relationships are built on honest communication and respect. We work diligently with legislators and department contacts to know our clients and understand why their issues matter. Clarkston Nelson strive to maintain professional and positive relations with state elected officials and decision-makers and can utilize our relationships to assist clients with ensuring their issues are properly understood and considered when needed.

HEATH CLARKSTON has more than two decades working for a variety of clients as a registered lobbyist in Missouri with state government relations and public relations experience. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration and Political Science in 1997 from Missouri State University in Springfield. He began his career as a legislative intern for the Taxpayers Research Institute, a division of Associated Industries of Missouri. After joining Gallagher Consultants Inc. in 2006, Heath quickly earned a reputation as a tenacious, hard-working voice in the Missouri State Capitol for his clients. An active member in many civic and professional organizations, Heath is the benchmark of hard work in the State Capitol.

MICHAEL HENDERSON

(Missouri)
  • (573) 520-7240

  • 235 E High StreetSuite 301Jefferson CityMO65101

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