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.

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.

JEREMY ESTENSON

(Minnesota)

Experienced Director Of Government Affairs with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice industry. Skilled in Public Affairs, Research, Speech Writing, Politics, and Fundraising.

20+ years

Former President of the Minnesota Government Relations Council

Jeremy has worked extensively with all legislative committees and with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Labor and Industry, Employment, Pollution Control, Transportation and Public Safety

Jeremy partners with clients to navigate legislative and public policy processes to help them reach their goals. His experience ranges from initial messaging, bill drafting, working with legislators to advance or defeat legislation and amendments, and working with regulators to ensure proper application of the law. In every client engagement, Jeremy draws upon his prior legislative and public policy experience and builds relationships with national, state and local legislators and government officials.

Jeremy advocates for clients on issues related to energy, fuels, transportation, workforce and labor, economic development, financial services and small business. His experience includes:
Workers' compensation reform on behalf of self-insured businesses.

Transportation finance and policy issues, particularly related to freight and fuels.

Workforce and labor issues, particularly those related to FMLA, independent contractor status and Davis Bacon statutes.

Procurement of public investment.

Price and supply stability in for utility consumers.

Prior to joining Taft Advisors, Jeremy was a government relations director at a national law and consulting firm. He previously served as the committee administrator for the Transportation Finance Committee for the Republican Party in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He began his career at the Minnesota Trucking Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.