Solutions-focused and results-oriented lawyer/lobbyist, Principal Julie Strandlie brings to the table extensive experience in
•formulating policy
•political messaging
•implementing innovative bipartisan legislative strategies
•building and utilizing coalitions and grassroot/grasstop networks
•organizing successful constituent-driven advocacy campaigns
•leading highly acclaimed CEO-level lobby
days. Julie was the long-time Director, Grassroots Operations/Legislative Counsel for the American Bar Association and most recently Director, Government Relations for the American Association of Law Libraries. Selected Accomplishments
•Over 12 years, developed overwhelming bipartisan support for the Legal Services Corporation: led direct and grassroots lobbying efforts which resulted in more than $140 million in funding increases and the elimination of the restriction on the collection of statutorily-authorized attorney fees.
•Created a nationally recognized, "must-attend" CEO-level constituent "fly-in": developed annual three-day ABA Day in Washington "fly-in" for ABA and state/local bar leadership from a casual gathering into one of DC's most successful and well-organized lobby programs, as recognized by CQ/Roll Call.
•Secured an important funding stream for legal aid programs: spearheaded bipartisan legislative and national grassroots campaigns to include Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) unlimited insurance Transaction Account Guarantee program; played key role in amending Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to continue IOLTA coverage.
•Helped protect the attorney-client privilege: successfully engaged state/local bar associations and individual lawyer grasstop advocates to defeat congressional and federal agency attempts to limit/eliminate the attorney-client privilege or impose federal agency regulations on attorneys and law firms.
•Eliminated a 12-year old tax inequity: resolved the "double-FICA tax" obligation for the University of Florida's College of Medicine through a bipartisan provision in the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, worth about $1.5 million per year in future savings. Recommendations
“Julie is knowledgeable, prepared and high energy. Her positive, can-do attitude is infectious. Her calm demeanor and intellectual strength make her a “go to person” for me on legislative matters at the federal level.”
Michelle Behnke, Principal, Michelle Behnke & Associates; ABA Board of Governors; Past President, State Bar of Wisconsin
“Julie energizes groups of people to accomplish legislative advocacy with more success and less pain, than any one else I've ever known." Rew Goodenow, Past President, State Bar of Nevada
“Any CEO or president would want Julie advising them on a wide range of matters, from policy and programs to personalities and politics. She is one of those professionals who is near perfect in her preparation, knowledge and presentation. Her style is warm, personal and endearing. She's great to work with -- an all around wonderful person and a favorite of Bar Presidents nationwide.”
Nate Alder, Past President, Utah State Bar
“Julie is someone who, upon learning about new approaches to her programs, rather than just thinking about them, she puts her learning to work. She has accomplished this with a demanding membership organization that requires results.”
Amy Showalter, Owner, The Showalter Group
“If getting things done legislatively is a priority, Julie Strandlie is someone I would always have on my team. Her commitment is intense and genuine. Her collegial and highly professional style of work is admirable. She's simply the best!”
Sarina Butler, former Associate Executive Director, American Bar Association; Sarina Butler Consulting Group
“Julie did a fantastic job of keeping me and other state legislative advocates informed about what was going on in Congress as well as in other states. Julie always had an excellent game plan for marshalling advocacy from the state Bar associations on national issues and making it easy for our volunteer board leadership to carry a persuasive message to their Senators and Representatives, at just the right time.”
Gail Stone, former Director, Legislative Affairs, Washington State Bar Association
"I've known Julie over a decade during which we have worked together on issues impacting aspects of the law and the delivery of legal services. Julie is an undeterred advocate for her issue/cause, a hard worker and an experienced grassroots mobilizer. She understands the federal legislative process and can effectively propel her issues through it, no small feat." Jenny Boese, VP-External Relations & Member Advocacy, Wisconsin Hospital Association
"Julie was a key player in promoting Medical-Legal Partnerships on Capitol Hill and within the legal community. She is a quick study, grasping both the details and challenges along with the big picture. Her passion and commitment for her work are gamechangers, and make her extremely effective as an advocate.”
Ellen Lawton, Former Executive Director, National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership; Ellen Lawton Consulting
“Julie did an amazing amount of work in a short period of time for the American Association of Law Libraries as our Government Relations Director. . . Julie's ability of sitting down and working in partnership with members to influence legislation, as well as pulling together a cohesive overview of how AALL affects those issues made her extremely valuable to the organization – and valued by the membership.”
Greg Lambert, Library & Records Manager, King & Spaulding (Houston, Texas); Member, AALL Executive Board
