11-15 years

Innocent's Society, University of Nebraska - Lincoln Chancellor's Senior Honorary

CALI Awards for Excellence - Individual Income Tax; Farm and Ranch Tax

Fellow Mueller Robak LLC partner, Kim M. Robak, is a former Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska.

Kristen J. Hassebrook initially joined Mueller Robak in November of 2022. She brings a distinctive skillset of membership and trade association lobbying to the firm. Building and coordinating coalitions to effect strategic policy initiatives and a reputation for providing results driven advocacy are at the core of Kristen's work experience. Most recently Kristen served as Associate Vice President for Government Relations for the University of Nebraska where she led a team that advocated on behalf of the interests of the University at the capitol in Lincoln, in Washington, D.C., and across the state. This experience gave Kristen expertise in understanding the state and federal financial needs of higher education. In addition, this role required Kristen to work to support the success of Nebraska students, faculty, researchers, and constituents on a variety of policy issues impacting higher education at the state and national level. As the Executive Vice President for Legislation and Policy for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, she lobbied for four years at both the state and federal level and engaged in issues management with regulatory agencies on behalf of Nebraska businesses. During this time Kristen developed an expertise in taxation, business incentives, labor and employment law, as well as issues facing manufacturing. She also spent five and a half years as Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs for the Nebraska Cattlemen where she lobbied and provided regulatory assistance on behalf of beef producers. This experience helped Kristen develop a deep understanding of the regulatory and legal world surrounding agriculture, natural resources, and the environment.

20+ years

2020-2021 - Recognized as one of North Carolina's top 25 lobbyists in a survey performed by the North State Journal

2017 - Leadership Raleigh - Class of 2017, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

2009-2011 - North Carolina Super Lawyers "Rising Star"

1999 - Fellow - Washington D.C. Institute of Professional Leadership, Education Policy Fellowship Program

David's government relations experience includes a diverse group of clients and a wide range of issues, which has allowed him to appear in and monitor legislation in most of the standing legislative committees and interim study committees. He also represents clients in public RFP and procurement matters. David has handled state appropriations issues for clients, as well as tax and finance matters. In his over 20 years of lobbying, he has cultivated good relationships with legislators and other government officials across state government without regard for political affiliation. David also works hard to develop relationships with legislative and state agency staff, for staff often can help direct an issue through the process.

David Ferrell is a government affairs attorney and registered lobbyist with more than 20 years' experience in state, local and executive branch lobbying, grass roots campaigns, and regulatory compliance. His government relations experience includes a diverse group of clients and a wide range of issues, which has allowed him to appear in and monitor legislation in most of the standing legislative committees and interim study committees. David represents clients in public RFP and procurement matters. He has handled state appropriations issues for clients, as well as tax and finance matters.David represents energy, electric, water, and other utilities in various matters, including regulatory proceedings, right-of-way acquisition, eminent domain, and general liability matters. He assists local governments and utilities with various legal, regulatory and legislative matters. David also has experience negotiating with renewable energy and other similar companies on behalf of utility providers. He regularly represents clients before the North Carolina Utilities Commission and other regulatory agencies.David's administrative and regulatory practice focuses on representing businesses and individuals before professional licensing boards, state and local regulatory and permitting agencies, and other similar agencies. David also serves as general counsel to North Carolina business and trade associations, as well as to state professional licensing boards.David was recognized in 2020 as one of North Carolina's top 25 lobbyists in a survey performed by the North State Journal. He was selected by the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce for their Leadership Raleigh program - Class of 2017. David was selected by North Carolina Super Lawyers "Rising Star" in 2009 - 2011. He is a Fellow of the Washington D.C. Institute of Professional Leadership, Education Policy Fellowship Program.

11-15 years

1st Vice President, Maryland Government Relations Association

Former General Counsel, Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation

Former General Counsel, Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce

Pounds is an accomplished attorney and lobbyist with sixteen years of legal experience and served as General Counsel for government, quasi-government entities, boards & commissions, and businesses. After seven years in Prince George's as a senior campaign and transition staff member, an associate county attorney, and then General Counsel to the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation, Pounds served six years as a partner and senior counsel in two prominent Maryland law firms. He represents clients in municipal and cannabis law, alcoholic beverage licensing; land use and zoning; business transactions, and government relations. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech, and received his Juris Doctor, with honors, at the University of Baltimore School of Law. Pounds is active in his community and serves on several boards, including the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland Government Relations Association. He lives in Bowie with his wife and two children.

20+ years

Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations Law, 2009 to present Great Plains Super Lawyer, Government Relations Law, 2009 to present America's Top 100 Attorneys
U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms in Nebraska

Fellow Mueller Robak LLC partner, Kim M. Robak, is a former Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska.

William J. Mueller is senior partner and co-founder of Mueller Robak LLC. Mr. Mueller has succeeded in combining a strong legal and political background to be-come one of the state's leading lobbyists. He advises clients on a broad range of legislative and government relations matters. Mr. Mueller is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law and began lobbying in 1984. He will be President of the Nebraska State Bar Association in 2021. He is one of three firm members who were elected President of the student body of the University of Nebraska while in college. Mueller has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America and a Great Plains Super Lawyer in Government Relations Law since 2009. He has been selected for Lifetime Membership in America's Top 100 Attorneys. In 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2021, Mueller was selected as the Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year in Government Relations practice. His is a Fellow of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and is a Patron Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Mr. Mueller is a past President of the University of Nebraska Alumni Association. Mueller is the President of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County. He and his spouse, fellow Mueller Robak partner, Kim M. Robak, chaired the campaign of the United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County in 2015. Mueller, an Ogallala, Nebraska native, and Kim M. Robak, a Columbus, Nebraska native, have two daughters, Katherine and Claire. Katherine is an honors graduate of Vanderbilt University and resides in New York City where she works for a financial services firm in their global payments area. Claire M. Mueller, MD is a graduate of Pomona College in Claremont, California, and graduated with High Honors from Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Mueller is in her second year of medical residency in ophthalmology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon.

20+ years

Tim provided a long sought-after voice to retirees in the Retired Detroit Police & Fire Fighters Association. He and his team successfully fought unions, the City of Detroit, and the pension board's opposition to amend decades-old state law. The association spent 25 years trying to obtain representation on its pension board through litigation and city charter amendment to no avail. Tim and his team did it in a fraction of the time.

Prior to becoming president of MLC, Tim was appointed as Governor John Engler's Campaign Manager to manage his 1998 re-election campaign, after having worked in the Governor's office as Director of External Affairs and Deputy Director of Public Affairs. Former positions also included stints in the Michigan House and Senate, Oakland County government and Senior Director of Government Affairs of the Michigan Credit Union League.

20+ years

Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations Law, 2009 to present Great Plains Super Lawyer, Government Relations Law, 2009 to present America's Top 100 Attorneys
U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms in Nebraska

Kim M. Robak served as Lieutenant Governor with Governor Nelson from October 1993 to January 1999.

Kim M. Robak, senior partner, has a background and experience in private practice, state government, and university administration that makes her uniquely qualified to handle projects for a multitude of clients. Robak was a partner in private practice before leaving to serve as Legal Counsel and Chief of Staff to then-Governor and former U.S. Senator Ben Nelson. She served as Lieutenant Governor with Nelson from October 1993 to January 1999.

Following her government service, Robak joined the University of Nebraska as Vice President for External Affairs and Corporation Secretary where she was responsible for public and government relations, marketing, and information technology for the University of Nebraska system. Robak joined Mueller Robak LLC as a partner in December of 2004.

Ms. Robak is a Columbus, Nebraska native. She and her husband, fellow Mueller Robak partner William J. Mueller, have two daughters, Katherine and Claire.

15-20 years

Kelly Davis Cress has spent the past twenty years cultivating relationships with legislative members that make up the backbone of effective advocacy. She began her lobbying career as the Government Relations Coordinator for the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. As a contract lobbyist, she represented a diverse group of nonprofit organizations, private businesses, and trade associations. In 2021, Kelly partnered with JM Hughes Group to form Ten One Strategies.

In addition to her professional work, Kelly was a gubernatorial appointee to the Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging, past member of Junior League of Jackson and Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland, Magnolia Luncheon Club, Jackson Ladies Tennis Association, Metro Area Tri Delta Alumnae and Delta State University Alumni Association. Kelly spends most of her free time serving at her children's schools and watching them play sports.

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Management from Delta State University and is a graduate of the Mississippi Realtors Institute. Kelly is married to Blake, a Real Estate Broker/Developer and they reside in Ridgeland, MS with their sons, Davis and Cole.

Why Did You Choose Lobbying?
Growing up in the Mississippi Delta, I saw firsthand how policies can affect the quality of life in local communities. I love the diversity of clients we get to work with. No two days are the same.

Practice Areas (Specialties)
Offensive legislation
Defensive legislation
Economic Development
501c3

6-10 years

Jennie served as the primary staff member for the House Education Committee.

Jennie Previously served as:
Senior Director of Government Relations and Policy, University of Memphis, 2018-2019. Built and maintained relationships, studied policy initiatives, and advocated for funding before state, local, and Federal officials. Successful in securing capital funding for the Lambuth Campus, a first for the University. Organized the inaugural University of Memphis Legislative Retreat, bringing a record 40 legislators from across Tennessee to the University of Memphis Campus.

Director of Government Relations, State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), 2014-2018. Represented Tennessee's leading education policy and advocacy organization before the Tennessee General Assembly. Successfully designed and executed a statewide roadshow for a Governor's cabinet member to interact with business and community stakeholders.

Legislative Staffer, Tennessee General Assembly, 2011-2014. Worked for the Tennessee General Assembly in several roles including Research Analyst for the House Education Committee. Developed strong working relationships with key education and business community stakeholders. Maintained a deep understanding of education-related legislation to serve as the primary policy advisor to the committee.

Fundraiser and Campaign Coordinator, Congressman Bill Cassidy, 2010-2011.

11-15 years

Theodore C. Sorensen Fellow
Lincoln Young Professionals Group Four Under Forty Award
University of Nebraska Student Body President

Fellow Mueller Robak LLC partner, Kim M. Robak, is a former Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska.

With over ten years of experience as a lobbyist, Matthew T. Schaefer has extensive experience building stakeholder coalitions and guiding complex legislation through Nebraska's unique one-house legislature. Matt has worked with a broad range of clients ranging from some of Nebraska's most respected homegrown businesses to national technology companies bringing new innovations to the state. Matt also assists hospitals, professional associations, and political subdivision on challenging public policy matters.

Before joining Mueller Robak LLC in 2010, Matt was a Theodore C. Sorensen Fellow at the University of Nebraska College of Law and executive editor of the Nebraska Law Review. Matt is one of three firm members who were elected President of the student body of the University of Nebraska while an undergraduate.

6-10 years

Named a "30 Under 30 Rising Stars in Florida Politics" by Florida Politics in 2014

Strong relationships in the Florida Department of Education, as well as the chairs and staff of education policy and appropriations committees in both legislative chambers, and many other agencies and policy areas, including the Department of Children and Families, Department of Corrections, and more.

Sara has more than a decade of experience in education policy and government affairs, starting as a K-12 public school teacher. She thrives on helping clients achieve complex and challenging goals and has become a respected and trusted voice for education policy issues in Tallahassee.

Sara joined McGuireWoods Consulting in 2018 after six years of leading government affairs for nonprofits in Florida. Prior to MWC, Sara led external and legislative affairs for Step Up For Students, the largest K-12 scholarship funding organization in the nation. Before that, she was the Florida Legislative Affairs Director for the Foundation for Excellence in Education. In addition to education, Sara has experience in the areas of child welfare, criminal justice, juvenile justice, healthcare, insurance, and more.

In 2011, while still in the classroom, Sara was nominated for Orange County Public Schools Teacher of the Year award. By 2014, Sara was named one of "30 Under 30 Rising Stars" by Florida Politics, the state's predominant political news site.

Sara received her bachelor's degree in English Education from the University of North Florida in 2007 and her master's degree in Education Policy and Evaluation from Florida State University in 2014.

Sara is a member of Leadership Florida, the American Enterprise Institute's State Leadership Network, and co-founder of Lean In Tallahassee. In her spare time, she volunteers as a guardian ad litem in Florida's Second Judicial Circuit and fosters dogs through a local animal rescue organization. Sara lives in Tallahassee with her husband, daughter, and rescue dog.

0-5 years

Student Body President and Student Regent - University of Nebraska at Kearney

Nebraska Moot Court Board - Member

Winning Team and Best Oral Advocate - Henry R. Grether Moot Court Competition, University of Nebraska College of Law

CALI Awards for Excellence - Trial Advocacy, Pre-Trial Litigation, Land Use Planning

2009 Nester University Student Leadership Award - University of Nebraska Kearney

2014 Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Top 35 Under 35

Fellow Mueller Robak LLC partner, Kim M. Robak, is a former Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska.

Tim Hruza joined the team at Mueller Robak after having earned experience practicing law in a variety of contexts.

After graduating from law school, Tim spent three years in private practice at a mid-sized firm in Grand Island, Nebraska, where he worked with clients on a number of different legal issues, from litigating contract and property boundary disputes, to developing estate plans and managing business transactions. Following his time in private practice, Tim worked as legal counsel to a Lincoln business association, providing advice and counsel to local business owners and advocating for their interests before elected officials on both local and state levels. Most recently, Tim served as legal counsel to the Nebraska Legislature's Judiciary Committee, where he advised Senators on the legal aspects of bills presented to them for consideration.

Tim also brings to the firm experience working with local media outlets. He is a regular contributor on Lincoln's news and talk radio station 1400 KLIN where he provides commentary and insight on national, state, and local political and sports news. Tim has worked as on-air talent and as a behind-the- scenes producer for both morning and afternoon talk radio programs and through this experience has built strong relationships with elected officials and media partners in Nebraska on all levels.

Tim received his juris doctor degree with distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2012, where he was a member of the Moot Court Board and received awards for his oral advocacy skills. Before attending law school, Tim was an honors graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree cum laude. During his time at UNK, Tim was elected to serve a term as the University's Student Body President and Student Regent.