Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Continues its Expansion with the Addition of Prominent Lobbyist Julia Donnelly to its Minnesota Team

MINNEAPOLIS – August 25, 2025 –Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today welcomed veteran political strategist Julia Donnelly to its fast-growing Minnesota lobbying team. A long-time adviser to key Minnesota politicians, including current Governor Tim Walz, Donnelly has also successfully represented corporate clients and nonprofits before Minnesota’s state legislature and regulatory bodies. She joins the firm as a principal and will work out of its Minneapolis/St. Paul office.

Donnelly comes to the firm from Almeida Public Affairs and is recognized as one of Minnesota’s leading political advisers. She worked as then-Congressman Keith Ellison’s congressional campaign and office manager from 2009-2012 and served as senior adviser to Governor Walz during his 2018 primary and general election campaigns.

In her new capacity, Donnelly will provide clients with expert political and strategic counsel to support their public policy and regulatory objectives, while also identifying and developing key relationships within the Governor’s office, the Minnesota legislature, state agencies, and with essential stakeholders throughout the state.

“Julia brings to us an extremely diverse background and a lengthy track record of success that is well-suited for our Minnesota-region clients,” said Howard Schweitzer, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ CEO. “In particular, she brings a strong and successful background with environmental and transportation issues, making her a perfect fit for our current clients with interests in those sectors. I’m thrilled to welcome her aboard.”

Donnelly is also highly regarded for her work as a lobbyist. As Legislative and Political Director of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #49 in Minneapolis, Donnelly managed all legislative and union political activity in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota — elevating the 14,000-member union’s profile with policymakers and ushering in a new generation of collaboration between the building trades and the business community. Her legislative wins included extending unemployment insurance benefits for workers during prolonged layoffs due to international trade policy and ensuring public policy aligned with multiemployer health and welfare funds.

“Like so many others at the state capitol, I’ve known and worked with Julia for many years. She’s a well-respected and well-connected lobbyist known for working extraordinarily hard for her clients,” said John Reich, senior principal at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies who is also based in the Minneapolis/St Paul office. “She brings a unique set of skills and is dedicated to consistent communication, relationship building, and strategic advising. I’m looking forward to working with her.”

“Having worked as both a political adviser and a lobbyist, both here in Minnesota and in the nation’s capital, I’ve long been familiar with Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies,” Donnelly said. “It is by far among the country’s preeminent government relations organizations and as a result, its footprint and client base continue to grow rapidly. I’m very much looking forward to working with Howard and John to drive that expansion further.”

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. The firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management and strategic communications. Its client base spans multiple industries, including health care, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 925 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 33 offices across two continents.

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