Do you want the advocate for your Wisconsin governmental relations issue to care even more about winning your issue than you do?
“Tony cares more about winning our issue than we do,” said a client of Government Relations attorney, Tony Driessen. This shared commitment is the standard that Tony applies to each of his clients’ issues. It also explains why many of his clients retain him on a continuing basis for subsequent issues. When you are challenging a legislative “current” against you, Tony will be in your boat right alongside of you, and pulling one of the oars.
He appreciates that every issue and every client is unique and benefits from a special combination of constituency involvement, political action and merit to achieve success. For example, a tax issue or dispute is far different than a consumer protection issue, and many of the key policy decision-makers on an environmental issue are often different from a transportation-related or health care issue.
The most effective, aggressive and passionate approach to one issue may not work on another. In addition, the best initial plan on a specific issue may require changes in implementation, as unexpected political and other variables occur as the issue unfolds dynamically.
When dealing with decision-makers (both clients and legislators) on legislation, rule-making or a state contract, Tony listens well and makes the connections as positive and as enjoyable as possible. He sells and delivers on integrity and trust by keeping promises and by doing what he says he will do. Stated succinctly, he continuously strives to be someone his clients and legislators can count on. In the process, friendships with legislators and others are made, based on that earned trust.
Tony’s legal and business experiences have taught him the value of providing clients with practical solutions to their unique governmental relations problems. Those solutions are then expeditiously pursued, with sensitivity to the cost of achieving the particular objective.
Nothing is more satisfying or rewarding to Tony than winning a challenging issue or state contract for a client, after “rowing” alongside the client, in the client’s “boat”!
Types of Clients
Clients who seek advice from Tony come from all industries including health care, insurance, financial, consumer products, technology, education-related, manufacturing, environmental, business and others.
Notable Representations
- Gaining multi-year state contracts with various state agencies and the State of Wisconsin.
- Passing a wide-range of state tax law changes related to sales and use taxes, corporate income and franchise taxes, property taxes, and license fees.
- Modifying statutes and administrative rules involving almost all Wisconsin agencies. These include consumer protection provisions, natural resources variances permits, regulatory actions by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, workforce development, Medicaid reforms and transportation issues.
- Solving specific regulatory problems for a diversity of business and professional groups.
Articles/Presentations
"Rules? In a Lobbying Fight? The Ethics of State and Local Lobbying," Business Law Today, Volume 18, Number 4, March/April 2009
Tony is a frequent presenter to numerous Board of Directors and membership meetings for his clients and also contributes countless articles to his clients’ newsletters.