Margaret Vesel brings more than two decades of government, civic and political experience to Larkin Hoffman’s government relations team. In her role as government relations director, Margaret develops and implements successful government affairs solutions for her clients. She is a registered lobbyist who establishes strategy, drafts legislation, communicates clients’ positions to key decision makers, prepares testimony and monitors legislative proceedings.
 
Margaret represents clients in a broad range of issues including education, health care, public safety, capital investments, agriculture, regulated industries, transportation, tax, environmental, economic development, licensing, procurement and other critical issues which affect organizations across the state. Margaret also has experience in grassroots and grassroots organizing, coalition building, association management and issue management.
 
Clients
Margaret manages legislative initiatives for a comprehensive range of clients including: 

• Professional sports teams
• Public pension funds
• National trade associations
• State business and professional associations
• Large metropolitan counties
• State labor organizations
• Joint powers entities
• American automobile manufacturers
• Agricultural processors
• Technology and financial institutions
• Timberland investment management organizations
• Major American airlines

Past Experience
Before joining Larkin Hoffman, Margaret worked in a similar role at another Twin Cities law firm. Prior to that, she served as a senior policy advisor to Governor Tim Pawlenty for nearly four years covering issues such as education, military and veterans affairs, capital investment and the criminal justice system. Before working at the governor’s office, Margaret worked within the Pawlenty Administration as director of government relations for both the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Minnesota Department of Education.

In addition to her work in the executive branch, Margaret worked for the Minnesota Business Partnership and the Minnesota Bankers Association, representing business interests at the capitol. She began her career in politics working at the Minnesota Legislature where she worked for the Minnesota House Republican Caucus as staff to the Minority Caucus Leadership.