Wada Government Relations
Our Firm
A single piece of legislation or a regulatory action can have a significant impact. Whether your need is to advance a policy, protect your position, or remove barriers to success, it is critical to have a dedicated voice in Sacramento guarding your interests and fighting on a daily basis to achieve your policy objectives.
Wada GR focuses on solid policy arguments, deep relationships, and a keen sense of the political complexities that impact policy making in Sacramento. The firm obtains results by approaching issues from multiple perspectives, taking into consideration the policy and political ramifications of each strategy it pursues.
The Principal
Jennifer Wada is an attorney, legislative advocate, and principal of Wada Government Relations. She offers her clients a blend of strong advocacy, relationships at all levels of government, and a wealth of legislative and regulatory knowledge.
Wada has been lobbying since 2001. Prior to forming Wada Government Relations, she served as managing partner of the Wada Williams Law Group, LLP and was a senior legislative advocate at a top-ten lobbying firm. Wada’s advocacy experience encompasses a broad range of issues, particularly matters relating to judiciary, housing, transportation, public safety, budget, entertainment, and education issues.
Wada received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola Marymount University and her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law with distinction.
Services
Strategic Consulting
We develop comprehensive strategies that incorporate the firm’s relationships and political experience to best situate a client to achieve its objectives.
Advocacy
We pursue a proactive and thorough approach to advocacy that includes direct lobbying of the Legislature, the Governor’s office, and state agencies.
Public Relations
We work with government officials, the media, and other stakeholders to implement a comprehensive public affairs strategy.
Our Work
Business
Regulation
Case Study
Public
Safety
Case Study
State
Agencies
Case Study
Business Regulation
Wada has advocated before the Department of Health Care Services and the Legislature to advance policies related to pharmacotherapy. She recently helped coordinate a comprehensive strategy that included legislative informational hearings, legislative caucus briefings and legislation related to obesity treatment.
Public Safety
Wada obtained enactment of sponsored legislation to enhance criminal penalties for child harassment based on the occupation or profession of the child’s parent or guardian. Despite strong opposition from various interest groups and complex public safety and judiciary issues, the bill passed the Legislature unanimously and was signed into law. Wada’s strong relationships enabled her to organize a diverse coalition made up of key law enforcement groups (e.g., sheriffs, police chiefs, prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys and probation officers), as well as a number of health associations, civil rights groups, elected officials, actors, musicians and other artists. In conjunction with her advocacy efforts, Wada also orchestrated a public relations strategy that resulted in nationwide media coverage.
State Agencies
As the State Bar’s legislative advocate, Wada successfully navigated the Bar through the most sweeping reforms to its governance structure in decades. In the face of ardently divergent views and significant scrutiny, Wada advised the State Bar’s Board of Trustees through politically sensitive negotiations with the Legislature. This reform has paved the way for further advancement of public protection policies sponsored by the agency.
Social Services
Wada effectively lobbied legislation and budget matters related to policies affecting low-income women and children. Her advocacy prevented steep cuts to various programs (e.g., CalWORKs, childcare) that would have devastated the safety net for low-income women and children throughout the State. Wada developed an accompanying communications strategy that included organizing rallies, legislative briefings and receptions. Wada also created a campaign strategy and voter guide designed to advance the interests of low-income women and children in the ‘2021’ election.