Public Affairs

Public Affairs

For over 100 years our attorney team has long served as advocates and advisors for clients.

We recognize the need for businesses to focus on growing and protecting their operations and assets.  With the ever-changing policymaking and regulatory landscape in Madison, businesses need a voice and a team to advocate on their behalf even if the State Capitol is hundreds of miles away.

Given our diverse client base, we understand advocacy needs are unique and specific to a business or industry. As a result, our approach is tailored to understanding goals and crafting a strategy designed to achieve a client’s public affairs objectives.

Services offered by our team include:

Monitoring and Bill Tracking: Thousands of bills are introduced each legislative session; Ruder Ware will monitor and track specific topics or proposals as they relate to an area of client interest.

Advocacy: Ruder Ware’s Public Affairs team divides their time between Madison and Eau Claire and is poised to utilize our relationships to advocate positions to lawmakers and state leaders.

Association management: From annual events and Capitol Advocacy Days to association publications and press releases, we can assist with amplifying members’ voices and enhancing an association’s benefits.

Ruder Ware has a long history of effective public engagement and community involvement. This has afforded the opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships in state and local government, campaigns, media, and the private sector.

  • A past president served as Secretary of the Department of Financial Institutions, chair of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, and served as a member of the Public Service Commission of the State of Wisconsin where he was ultimately appointed Chairman.
  • Our previous Government Relations Director transitioned into an Assistant Deputy Secretary position with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
  • Our current Director of Public Affairs held positions in both state and local government. Most recently, he served as the government relations director for a taxpayer association, where he represented the diverse interests of that group’s statewide membership in the State Capitol.

Founded in 1920, Ruder Ware provides business, employment, estate planning, and litigation services. A full-service law firm, over 45 attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success.

Capitol Connection icon branding all public affairs communications.
  • Capitol Connection, December 2023

  • October 2023: Three Issues of Interest In and Around the Capitol

  • September 2023 Capitol Connection

Capitol Connection Newsletters

Capitol Connection, November 2023

Posted on November 17, 2023 by

The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison. Welcome to the November issue of the Capitol Connection. Inside this issue Legislature Stands Adjourned Until Mid-January Top Three Issues of Interest American Family Field Alcohol Regulations Gov. Evers’ Special Session Legislation on Workforce and Child […]

Capitol Connection, October 2023

Posted on October 18, 2023 by

In this issue: Welcome to the Ruder Ware Capitol Connection Note From Public Affairs Director John Jacobson Top Three Issues Of Interest Assembly Passes Bill to Authorize State Funding, Financing Plan for Milwaukee Brewers’ American Family Field Legislative Redistricting & Looming Impeachment Gov. Evers’ Special Session Bill Works its Way Through Legislature, GOP Income Tax […]

Capitol Connection, September 2023

Posted on September 15, 2023 by

In this issue: Welcome to the Ruder Ware Capitol Connection Note From Public Affairs Director John Jacobson Top Three Issues Of Interest Wisconsin Supreme Court/Legislative Redistricting Special Session: Childcare, Higher Ed, And Workforce Income Tax Reduction Ruder Ware Tracker   WELCOME TO THE RUDER WARE CAPITOL CONNECTION   The ever-changing landscape of state government requires […]