Mike Saxl
Mike became Managing Principal of Maine Street Solutions and Counsel to Verrill following his service as a member of the Maine House of Representatives (1995-2002) and as Speaker of the Maine House (2000-2002). Mike brings over 30 years of professional public policy experience, through his service an elected official, a campaign operative, state and federal policy staff, and lobbying at all levels of government. Through those experiences, Mike and the MSS team provide a cutting-edge combination of services to clients.
At MSS, Mike and the team serve everyone from fortune 50 companies to the local statewide food bank. They believe in a multi-lateral strategic approach to problem solving that leaves egos aside and focusses on achieving positive results. Mike and the team do not believe in silos in government relations. They know that everyone on the team needs to have the right information so they can provide the right message to the right person at the right time. They also know that to broaden impact of their client’s message they need to use all the levers of communication: from direct advocacy to media relations, from grass roots influencing to social media, from legal advocacy to coalition building. Mike and the team know that this integrated, strategic approach brings the best chance of success for clients. AT MSS, Mike and the team are extremely competitive and want their clients to always win.
Mike and the team frequently work with clients on national strategies using Maine as a test-case to hone messages, tactics and policy, and then helping the client develop a national strategic approach to implementing the strategy. Through that work they have achieved great success ranging from expanding access to prescription drugs and healthcare to creating best practices for good government initiatives.
If an issue touches the public, whether it be government or community relations, crisis communications or procurement, national or local issues, the MSS team has the relationships and skills to advance your interest.
Mike was named 2021, 2020 and 2013 (27th, 26th and 19th editions) "Lawyer of the Year" by his peers (BestLawyers.com), for his work in Government Relations Practice, and has been listed in the same publication every year as a top Maine lawyer. Mike grew up in Bangor, graduated from Bowdoin College and the University of Maine School of Law, represented the West End of Portland in the legislature and currently resides in Belgrade with his wife and daughter. When Mike is not on the phone with a client or lawmaker, he can be frequently found walking in the woods near his home with the family dog, Dory.
News: (8/24/20) Maine Street Solutions is pleased to announce that Michael V. Saxl, of Verrill Dana, has Mike also recently received the Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program's certificate of commendation for completion of over 50 hours of pro bono work.
