I am a lawyer lobbyist, which is a distinguishing factor from most lobbyists in Idaho. Few lobbyists have the depth and breadth of experience that I have had over a broad cross-section of issues. I'm also a former state official - Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Secretary of State

20+ years

Idaho Business Review Lifetime Achievement Award
Best Lawyers in the United States
Idaho Business Review Idaho ICON Award

Extensive and successful relationships with Idaho Governors, Attorneys General, the Idaho Legislature and the Idaho Federal Congressional Delegation

My decades of experience have earned me a reputation as a premier advocate before federal, state and local decision-makers. As the Founder of Eiguren Public Policy Firm, I have an unsurpassed record of successful public issues management, lobbying, regulatory coordination and public policy law outcomes.

I regularly represent clients as a lawyer and lobbyist before departments and agencies of the state and federal governments. I have drafted and lobbied for new legislation, organizing large coalitions supporting passage, and have regularly testified before legislative and administrative committees. I have served as liaison between state and international governments to work out trade and cultural agreements.

I interact often with senior officials in Idaho and the federal government, including the Governor, Legislature, Attorney General, and the Idaho Congressional Delegation. I have also argued several major cases before the Idaho Supreme Court.

Additionally, I have decades of experience as both a Chairman and Director or Member of many public profit and non-profit corporations, including my current role as a Member of the American Red Cross National Philanthropic Board, Chairman of the American Red Cross of Idaho Board of Directors and Chairman of the Advisory Board of Directors of Tolsma USA. I am a former Director of Idaho Independent Bank, Avista Corporation, and Chairman of the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Idaho State Capitol Commission, and the St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Foundation.

Before entering law practice in 1984, I served in various capacities in several local state and federal agencies, including Deputy Attorney General of Idaho, Special Assistant to the Administrator of a large federal agency, Deputy Secretary of State of Idaho, and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Boise, Idaho.

Among other honors, I am the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Leaders in Law Program of the Idaho Business Review, and am listed in Best Lawyers in America.

I graduated from the Executive Management Program of the Dartmouth School of Business Administration and attended Georgetown University College of Law and the University of Idaho College of Law, where I received my Juris Doctorate.

Melinda has been with Eiguren Public Policy for four years, and previously spent more than a decade managing the PR Department for Fred Meyer and QFC Stores, the two Northwest divisions of The Kroger Co., where she managed government relations and lobbying, media relations, community donations and sponsorships and the employee volunteer programs in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Prior to that she was with the Portland, Ore. office of international PR firm Hill & Knowlton where she managed accounts for clients big and small ranging from local electric cooperatives to regional cell phone service providers to major crisis clients - including the grocery industry - during labor negotiations. Melinda is adept at advocacy at the local and state levels as well as at reputation and brand management.

0-5 years

Melinda has significant experience and key relationships with the Idaho Transportation Department, the Idaho Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health & Welfare, the Division of Financial Management and with the Office of the Governor.

  • Melinda's extensive experience and deep knowledge of issues that affect our business - labor, transportation, taxes and fees, pharmacy issues, etc. - has helped us navigate many challenging situations. Her strong leadership and relationships have made a difference in representing Fred Meyer's interests to elected officials and helping us manage any issues we might face. - Jeffery Temple, Director of Corporate Affairs, Fred Meyer Stores
  • Melinda Merrill has more than 25 years of experience managing government relations and crises for clients throughout the Pacific Northwest and provides Eiguren Public Policy clients with media, reputational, and crisis communications counseling as well as advocacy in local, state, and federal government.

    Prior to joining Eiguren Public Policy, Merrill was director of Public Affairs for Fred Meyer and QFC Stores - the two Northwest divisions of The Kroger Co. - for more than a decade, where she was media spokesperson and managed government affairs for the company's more than 200 stores in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington as well as at the federal level. She also developed strategy for and implemented Fred Meyer's and QFC's multi-million-dollar donations, sponsorship, community relations, and employee volunteer programs in the four states.

    Merrill is adept at assisting clients in developing strategy for and achieving their goals at the local, state, and federal levels of government. She also has experience providing reputational management for clients facing issues including taxes and fees, labor relations issues, real estate siting and planning issues, product recalls and importation of goods.

    Merrill also spent eight years in the Portland office of the international public relations and public affairs firm Hill & Knowlton. There she provided reputation, crisis management and government affairs counseling for clients including grocers, cell phone service providers, economic development organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, electric utilities, and the maritime industry.

    Merrill earned her M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from Kent State University, and a B.A. in Journalism with a broadcast emphasis from the University of Montana. She currently serves on the board of the American Red Cross of Greater Idaho and is chair of the Philanthropy committee and also serves on the Legislative Committee of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry. She has served on the Association of Washington Business Executive Committee; the board of Oregon Food Bank and as chair of its Advocacy Committee; and as president of the Board of the Oregon/SW Washington Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She lives in Meridian, Idaho.

    THE ADVOCACY GROUP

    (50 states, Federal and DC)

    TAG is a one-stop, results-oriented network for clients with needs in a single state or multiple jurisdictions. The TAG network consists of one top firm per jurisdiction or specialty. Collectively we are 60+ firms including lobbyists across the US, public affairs specialists in various countries (Australia, Canada, Mexico, Russia, CIS, Central Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Turkey, Israel, United Kingdom and the European Union) and specialty services (50-state legislative and regulatory tracking, grassroots, jury selection, market entry strategy and social enterprise business development).

    Each TAG member offers its clients a tailored strategy that will provide them with a solution. Our TAG members are an integrated team, both near and far throughout the world, yet offering insight within each location.

    The TAG network consists of the top lobbying firms across the US, public affairs specialists in various countries and specialty services.

    US Members:
    50-States
    DC Council
    US Congress

    International:
    Profile Consulting (Aust) Pty Ltd (Australia)
    Tactix (Canada)
    Monarch Global Strategies (Mexico, Central & South America)
    Kesarev (Russia, CIS, Central Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Turkey & Israel)
    Instinctif Partners (United Kingdom & the European Union)

    Specialty members:
    Five Corners Strategies (Grassroots Advocacy & Public Affairs)
    FOCUS, a Leonine Business (50-State Legislative & Regulatory Tracking & Analysis)
    Select Litigation (Jury Selection)
    Bullpen, LLC (Market Entry Strategy)
    The Virtuous Cycle Collaboratory (Social Enterprise Business Development)
    Law Offices of Mitchell D. Gravo, Inc. (Specialty Member)

    KATHERINE HAAS

    (Idaho)

    Kestrel West specializes in government affairs, public engagement, perception campaigns, crisis communications and media relations. We are government affairs experts and political strategists who help leaders manage reputations, tell compelling stories and outsmart the competition.

    Like our clients, we understand the values of pragmatism, experience, discipline and discretion. Whether you need to change a regulation, create new law, deal with a negative news story, or manage a public campaign, we are trusted advisors who help you win and position for the future.

    Firm Specialties:
    In a state where part-time legislators don't have staff, lobbyists fill the void.

    We provide public employees and elected officials with the information they need to make the right decisions. We help Idaho's elected officials meet their own goals in a way that helps effect positive outcomes for our clients and for the state of Idaho.

    We draft legislation, facilitate strategy, meet directly with decision-makers, testify at hearings, prepare background materials and become content experts on key issues so that we can help you and your organization overcome obstacles or achieve new success.

    Our knowledge of Idaho's local and state governments mean we are capable of tackling almost any issue. Our client experience and backgrounds give us deep and specialized content knowledge in natural resources, education, technology, procurement and telecom.

    KATE HAAS is a lawyer and lobbyist specializing in challenging legislative and regulatory issues. She is also a community-relations expert with deep experience organizing coalitions and campaigns for both businesses and political operations. As a former chief of staff and top policy aide to an Idaho congressman, she has nearly a decade of experience on Capitol Hill in both the Senate and House, and has worked directly on some of our nation's most complicated issues. Kate is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law, where she was named to the Dean's list, served an externship for a U.S. District Court Judge and graduated with top honors. She is on the board of directors of the Treasure Valley YMCA and is an avid trail runner. She and her husband, Bret, have a young son.

    JANE WITTMEYER

    (Idaho)

    Subjects: All Subjects

    Links:Website

    WITTMEYER AND ASSOCIATES, LLC is a Boise, Idaho-based government affairs firm with expertise in AGRICULTURE, WATER, TRANSPORTATION, BUSINESS and TAX issues. Our high-energy approach and dedicated personal service will accomplish your objectives

    20+ years

    JANE WITTMEYER is a proven leader with over 25 years of experience in public policy including federal government positions, federal and state legislative work, federal and state government and public relations experience at national, regional and state levels. Jane excels at idea generation, strategic planning, implementation and follow-through. With excellent managerial and organizational skills, her goal-oriented, high-energy approach achieves positive outcomes. Experienced in negotiating resolutions to highly sensitive issues, Jane's ability to work with individuals, groups and grassroots organizations builds consensus and finds solutions. Additionally, her political and non-profit experience in fundraising can be utilized to achieve your goals.