Best & Flanagan

David H. Johnson leads Best & Flanagan’s Government Relations practice group. Dave represents trade and professional associations, governmental entities, labor organizations, corporations, and pension funds before the Minnesota Legislature and state and federal agencies. The issue areas he has lobbied on include taxes and local government aids, labor, transportation, licensing, public pensions, alternative energy, environment, health care, and public safety.

Dave’s work in these areas has included representing:

• A large metropolitan county and a professional sports team on stadium construction and financing issues.
• In separate instances, assisting two billion dollar plus distressed public pension funds on legislation regarding funding stabilization and merger issues.
• National trade associations on environmental issues and product bans.
• State professional organization on legislation extending the state sales tax to professional services.
• Large metropolitan county on the funding and construction of commuter rail line.
• State labor organization on job creation, economic development and licensing issues.
• Joint powers entities on public safety, transportation, and transit funding.
• A law enforcement agency on state bond authorization for a forensic crime lab.
• Agricultural processor on alternative fuels.
• Firefighters’ and teachers’ pension funds regarding administration, funding and benefit improvements.

Dave advises political subdivisions, labor organizations, public pension funds, and individuals on all aspects of labor, employment, pension, open meeting, and data practices issues. He also counsels clients on state and federal campaign finance law and the regulation of political activity.

From 1997 to 2002 Dave was a member of the Minnesota Senate where he focused on transportation, public utility and economic development issues. He served as a Majority Whip in 2001-2002. Dave is currently a member of Best & Flanagan’s Executive Committee.

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Education

University of Minnesota, J.D., 1989

Augsburg College, B.A., 1986, Political Science and Communications

Practice Areas

• Business Law
• Executive Compensation, Employee Benefits, Public Pension Plans & ERISA
• Employment & Labor Law
• Government Affairs
• Native American Law
• Government Relations
• Tribal Government

Industries

• Construction
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Healthcare
• Municipalities & Governments

Admissions

State of Minnesota

Professional Associations
& Memberships

Minnesota State Senator, 1997-2002

Majority Whip 2001-2002

Chair, Electric Deregulation Subcommittee of the Jobs, Energy, and Community Development Committee, 1997-2001

Chair, Legislative Electric Energy Task Force

Chair, Senate NCAA Task Force

Chair, Senate Workforce Development Task Force

Normandale Community College Foundation Board, 1998-2003

Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership Board, 2003-2006

Governor's Workforce Development Council 2001-2003

Minnesota Governmental Relations Council

American Council of Young Political Leaders

American Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section)

Minnesota State Bar Association, Vice Chair, Legislative Committee 2004-2005

Hennepin County Bar Association