Robert J. Tennessen
Bob represents clients before the state legislature, state agencies, the governor,
attorney general and secretary of state. He advocates for clients at city councils,
county boards and the Metropolitan Council. He has extensive experience
advising clients on a range of issues and industries including insurance,
transportation, privacy, human services, taxes, banking, securities, uniform
commercial code, business entities, educational testing and technology, and
professional regulation. Bob has represented clients before the Comptroller of the Currency,
Federal Reserve System and FDIC.
The University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts has honored Bob with its Notable
Achievement Award. In 2000, the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare School of
Social Work University of Minnesota gave Bob its Honors Award in recognition of his
contribution to safeguarding the privacy rights of families served by the child welfare system.
Bob is a principal at Gray Plant Mooty, focusing on Government Relations, Business Law and
Financial Institutions.
Experience
Represents clients on issues including:
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Insurance companies, agencies and agents (applications, examinations, regulatory
compliance, licensing)
Banking, charter and regulatory compliance
Transportation
Regulation of professions
Privacy ― federal and state
Regulation and taxation of tobacco products
Education technology, financing and testing
Sale of client services to governmental entities
Community and professional involvement, past and present
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Commissioner, National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws
(NCCUSL)
Chair, Legislative Committee
Member, Executive, Scope & Program, UCC and Public Affairs Committees
Chair, Drafting Committee to Revise UCC Article 2A
Member, Drafting Committees to Revise the Administrative Procedures Act, and
the Uniform Securities Act
Member, Committee to draft Uniform Rules of Statutory and Rule Construction
ABA Advisor to NCCUSL Drafting Committee on Uniform Privacy Act
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Member, Executive Committee and Secretary of The Advocacy Group, Inc.
American Law Institute
Member, Minnesota State Senate, 1971-1983
Member, Commission to Revise Minnesota State Constitution, 1971-73; Chair of
its Transportation Committee
Chair, Senate Commerce Committee, 1977-1983 (banking, insurance, securities,
utilities, cable television, liquor)
Chair, Judicial Administration Subcommittee
Chair, Privacy Subcommittee
Vice Chair, Judiciary Committee
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Commissioner, Federal Privacy Protection Study Commission, 1975-1977
Lawyers Alliance for World Security
Past member of Board of Directors:
Guthrie Theatre
Washington Federal Saving & Loan Association
Greater Lake Country Food Bank
Groves Academy, Chair
Basilica of St. Mary, Finance Comiittee Chair
Institute on Black Chemical Abuse (Now part of African American Family
Services)
Bob received his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota in 1965. He earned his
law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1968. Bob is admitted to practice in
the state and federal courts in Minnesota and the federal Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Contact Information: Tel:
612/632-3358
Email: robert.tennessen@gpmlaw.com