For over 40 years, the Messerli & Kramer Government Relations team has shown integrity, unmatched service and a respected presence before the Minnesota Legislature, executive and regulatory agencies and local units of government. Every day we put that experience and knowledge to work to best serve our clients. Our lobbyists have been called upon to develop and pass into law some of the most complex and high profile legislation ever enacted in Minnesota. Just a few examples include:

Messerli & Kramer has a respected reputation for bipartisan lobbying activities that never take a legislator's vote for granted. Our real success is reflected by the fact that most of our clients were referred to us by legislators, other lobbyists who know the quality of our work and clients who have experienced the value of having our representation at the Capitol.
Coordination of statewide lobbying efforts to pass Minnesota's "Marriage Equality Act."
Bonding legislation for Target Field - a 42,000-seat, open air, natural grass ballpark, home of the Minnesota Twins.
Extensive involvement in bonding legislation to develop and expand metro transit and light rail.
Lobbying to support passage of mandatory seatbelt laws.
Representation of Minnesota law enforcement and first responders.

Firm Specialties:
Government Relations services at Messerli & Kramer fall largely under four key areas:

Legislative Lobbying - helping clients navigate due process and gain access to key decision makers to advocate for their interests.
Procurement - enhancing the ability for Minnesota companies and organizations to win contracts with state government entities.
Economic Development - supporting efforts to improve the quality of life and business and job growth in Minnesota communities.
Municipal Representation - assisting clients with protocols before units of government to obtain approvals, permits, waivers and other assistance.
In addition, our team represents clients in administrative law and grassroots advocacy. In the political arena, we have advised candidates and consulted on elections, and supported the Governor's office and state agencies. We offer legal and strategic advice for regulatory and administrative bodies, and management of strategic and crisis communications.

I am an experienced Minnesota lobbyist. I can take a client's goals, develop them into legislation, work through the legislative process and finalize a solution. I rely on my extensive experience and diverse relationships at the Capitol to get the job done for my clients.

20+ years

Served as President of the Minnesota Government Relations Council ("MGRC"). MGRC is the trade association for registered lobbyists in Minnesota.

Was featured on the local PBS station for a segment of "Lobbyists Unmasked."

Annual speaker at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs legislative panel.

Sonnie brings decades of experience working with clients, lawmakers, elected officials, and key staff at the local, state, and federal levels. She develops creative government solutions for clients to meet their goals and ambitions.

Sonnie is a board member and past president of the Minnesota Government Relations Council, a professional trade association of 500 lobbyists. She is a founding member of the National League of Women Lobbyist, an association made up of one female lobbyist per state. In 2021, Attorney at Law magazine referred to Sonnie as a "major player" in Minnesota's lobbying community.

Prior to joining Taft Advisors, Sonnie was a principal at a national law and consulting firm. She previously served as deputy director for Cabinet Affairs in the office of Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson, where she advised the governor on legislative issues and lobbied legislators on behalf of the Carlson administration. Sonnie has also worked at the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives.

Zack is a Public Policy Advocate working in the Minnesota State Capitol. Working toward the vision of a better Minnesota by advancing the goals of his clients.

6-10 years

Zack serves as Director of Public Affairs in Taft's Minneapolis office, where he advocates on behalf of clients across a broad spectrum of policy areas before the Minnesota State Legislature and executive agencies.

Before joining Taft, Zack held key public policy roles with several leading advocacy organizations. He served as Policy Associate for the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance and as Public Policy Director for the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, where he focused on advancing Health and Human Services legislation at the State Capitol. Most recently, he was the Minnesota State Director for the Humane Society of the United States, where he developed and led a bipartisan legislative agenda encompassing multiple committee jurisdictions.

At Taft, Zack's portfolio includes clients across the Health, Human Services, Commerce, Jobs, Labor, Housing, and Local Government sectors. Known for his strategic approach and bipartisan credibility, Zack is widely regarded as a trusted and effective advocate at the Minnesota Capitol.

JEFFREY BAUER

(Minnesota)
  • 952-476-8800

  • 1609 County Rd 42 W #305BurnsvilleMN55306

MICHELLE CRIMMINS

(Minnesota)
Clients:

WILLIAM DAMMANN

(Minnesota)

LAUREN GILCHRIST

(Minnesota)

WILLIAM HARPER

(Minnesota)
Clients:

JEFFREY HAYDEN

(Minnesota)

AMANDA JANSEN

(Minnesota)

MARIA JENSEN

(Minnesota)
Clients:

MEGAN PETERLINZ

(Minnesota)

MARK SCHRAMEK

(Minnesota)
Clients:

CHARLES SUTTON

(Minnesota)