Direct Lobbying

In a world of constant change due to term limits, ever-changing political winds, and executive branch turnover, we at Clarkston Nelson adapt and thrive due to our extensive experience and hard work. We work extremely hard to successfully help our clients reach their advocacy goals through our professionalism and unique understanding of the legislative and executive process. We provide direct lobbying efforts to shape legislation and regulations from the beginning to implementation. Our firm is capable of providing all services necessary such as legislation and issue monitoring, public engagement counseling, public testimony, and coalition building.

Strategic Communications

We believe that public opinion shapes much of the debate and decisions at the government level. Clarkston Nelson has a long history of collaborating with clients in the preparation and development of messaging to assist in their advocacy efforts before the Legislature, regulators, or any other decision-making body. Our strategic communications will be aimed at reaching our client’s underlying goal and often can be conveyed to the media and the public to potentially sway opinion in our favor. Often, strategic communications are aided by coalition-building efforts to expand our sphere of influence and to find additional partners who share our goals and preferred outcomes.

Relationship Building

Our firm recognizes the vast importance of relationship-building throughout the political, regulatory, and industry sectors. We believe healthy relationships are built on honest communication and respect. We collaborate diligently with legislators and department contacts to know our clients and understand why their issues matter. Clarkston Nelson strives to maintain professional and positive relations with state elected officials and decision-makers and can utilize our relationships to assist clients with ensuring their issues are properly understood and considered when needed.

Budget Advocacy

Clarkston Nelson has a tremendous amount of experience following the state appropriations and budgeting process. Doug Nelson served as Commissioner of Administration and had a direct education on the process through his experience as a member of the Governor’s cabinet. Clarkston Nelson continues to assist clients with navigation through the complex and daunting budget process from the early stages of planning to legislative appropriation, gubernatorial action, and finally implementation by various state departments. Clarkston Nelson provides constant monitoring of all state budget items, including the state project procurement process.

Monitoring Issues of Interest

Many of the problems or opportunities for clients begin due to an issue occurring outside the capitol building. As such, clients must constantly monitor current events, elections, regulatory agencies, and legislative committees to stay aware of all issues of importance. Clarkston Nelson provides constant monitoring of all legislative, regulatory, or news stories and reports regularly to a client on any relevant issue as it may arise.

Further, more than 2,000 bills are filed every year by the Missouri Legislature. Clarkston Nelson provides a service that reviews all legislation filed or offered as amendments to ensure their clients understand the impact of such legislation and if a need arises to intervene with an advocacy effort.

PAC Planning and Compliance

Clarkston Nelson provides clients with advice and strategies for political giving that meet their needs. These plans are developed to support elected officials, candidates, or ballot questions. We aid with all required state reporting requirements and ensure that all requirements on donation limits, timely filing, and corporate registration laws are followed. Many state trade associations establish continuing committees before the Missouri Ethics Commission and require our services for bookkeeping and compliance.

Procurement

Clients interested in obtaining contracts and landing business from state agencies have a strong partnership with Clarkston Nelson. CN staff works with the various state departments and will arrange meetings with department leaders before “requests for proposals.” Clients are assisted with bid responses, onboarding, expectations, and troubleshooting, along with working with the state budget. Doug Nelson served five years as the state’s Commissioner of Administration, and his expertise and contacts in procurements are extraordinary.