Taft is pleased to announce that seasoned governmental relations professionals Sonnie Elliott and Jeremy Estenson have joined the firm as vice presidents in the Public Affairs Strategies Group (PASG) and will lead the new Minneapolis-based group. Taft’s PASG is a bipartisan and diverse government relations team that represents corporations, small and medium-sized companies, nonprofit organizations, and associations with matters before federal, state, and local legislative and executive branches of government.

Elliott brings decades of experience developing and implementing advocacy strategies for clients with interests before the Minnesota Legislature and state agencies, representing businesses, education entities, nonprofit organizations, and trade and professional associations. At Taft she will continue to provide government relations services to clients, with particular focus on the environmental, health care, and insurance industries. “I look forward to adding value and sharing my experience with our Taft clients as we expand our Public Affairs Strategies Group to Minneapolis,” says Elliott. Prior to joining Taft, Elliott served as a consulting professional and Principal at Faegre Drinker Consulting.  

Estenson will focus on helping clients navigate complex legislative, administrative and public policy processes. From finding cost savings in the workers’ compensation system, creating new ways for freight to move or opening new, efficient ways to generate electricity, he approaches each client’s project with focus and creativity. He will remain heavily involved in issues related to energy, transportation, workforce and labor, economic development, and small business. “I am excited to provide a range of new solutions for Taft clients in the legislative and regulatory arena.” Estenson comes from Stinson LLP where he was Government Relations Director.

“We are excited to have Sonnie and Jeremy as part of the firm and introduce new service offerings to Minneapolis clients,” said Justin Weinberg, partner-in-charge of Taft’s Minneapolis office. “Adding their unique capabilities and expertise is a continuation of the firm’s goal to bring the very best talent to our clients to help them get where they want to go.”

Earlier this year, Taft announced 11 attorneys, lobbyists, and support professionals joined the firm en masse to launch Taft’s PASG, which was followed by integrating the existing Taft government affairs attorneys and lobbyists into the group. Five additional attorneys and/or lobbyists have joined Taft’s PASG since February’s announcement as the result of an ongoing aggressive recruiting strategy.

Taft’s federal practice involves developing impactful strategies and advocating for its clients before the U.S. Congress, the White House, and executive branch agencies. The firm continues to be strategic in its growth to expand its public affairs advisory work in the government contracting area, housing, and urban development matters, as well as the energy, environmental, defense, homeland security, IT and data privacy, and health care industries.