Education

Tennessen Law represents clients on numerous educational issues, including testing to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act, textbook pricing, alternative forms of educational materials, technology in schools, funding for specific programs, and procurement.

Financial Institutions

Tennessen Law has represented banks and other financial institutions on matters before the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and the Comptroller of the Currency. Our assistance encompasses compliance with state and federal regulations by financial institutions and by their officers and directors.

Insurance

For two decades, Tennessen Law has represented insurance companies before the Minnesota legislature and executive departments on a variety of issues. We assist insurance companies, agents, and brokers in obtaining product approval, resolving licensing and enforcement actions, and undergoing market conduct examinations, among other issues.

Privacy & Data Security

In today’s fast-developing area of privacy and data security law and regulation, Tennessen Law keeps its clients informed on emerging issues and developments and advocates their position vigorously in the proper forum. We have represented clients in almost every privacy and data security issue to come before the legislature during the past two decades, including the following:

Limitations on use of the social security number
Access to public records
Security breach notifications
Use of criminal history records
Passage of the Insurance Privacy Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act
State implementation of the Federal Drivers Privacy Protection Act

Robert Tennessen is one of Minnesota’s leading experts on privacy and data security issues. While serving in the Minnesota State Senate, he wrote the state’s landmark Data Practices Act, which includes a provision—known as the Tennessen Warning—that requires the government to disclose to citizens its reason for requesting personal information and its intended use of that information.

Among other activities in this field since leaving the Senate, Mr. Tennessen has been retained to obtain passage of the Insurance Privacy Act and to lead the effort to incorporate changes in the Minnesota law as required by the Federal Drivers Privacy Protection Act.

Procurement

Clients seeking to sell products and services to the state and to local governments can avail themselves of our procurement expertise. We can provide assistance with various aspects of the process, including advising clients of new opportunities, providing background information, and preparing a response to a Request for Proposals. Read more about our Minneapolis lobbying experience and our work procuring government contracts in Minneapolis.

Product Regulation

The complexities of Minnesota’s regulatory environment require companies to remain informed on and engaged in regulatory and legislative processes. Both the legislature and the executive departments can make a company’s product illegal with the stroke of a pen. Tennessen Law’s strategic legal counsel and direct advocacy ensure that we represent our clients’ interests in the appropriate forum. Our accomplishments in this category include positive outcomes for clients in matters involving food, medicine, and insurance products.

Regulation of Professions

Tennessen Law has represented professional associations and individuals in law, accounting, insurance, real estate, court reporting, and other licensed professions. We keep clients apprised of professional requirements and pending changes, and we advocate their position and handle enforcement actions on their behalf.

Taxes

Tennessen Law represents clients subject to state excise taxes, including smokeless tobacco products and wine. We understand the intricacies of the application and collection of excise taxes, and we represent clients on these issues before the Minnesota legislature and Department of Revenue.

Transportation

Tennessen Law has been in the forefront of creating sensible transportation policy. We work with cities, counties, the Twin Cities’ Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the state legislature to improve and fund the transportation infrastructure. We represented clients in obtaining passage in 2008 of the first major transportation funding bill in Minnesota since 1988.

Tennessen Law advises clients on available federal, state, and local funding and on establishing relationships with transportation agencies and officials. We help develop legislative proposals and provide direct advocacy before state and local units of government. Clients such as The I-35W Solutions Alliance—a consortium of three counties and six cities that supports the reconstruction and improvement of I-35W—rely on us for comprehensive and capable representation designed to achieve their objectives.