Flaherty & Hood, P.A., is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Wefel and Shane Zahrt have been named shareholders of the firm.
Elizabeth Wefel joined Flaherty & Hood P.A. in 2008 following years of cultivating her legal and legislative skills while working at esteemed law firms, universities, and the State Capitol. Elizabeth currently represents clients at the Minnesota Legislature and before administrative agencies in the areas of bonding, environment, energy, land use, natural resources, and parks & trails.
Elizabeth works tirelessly to achieve success for her clients, whether it be getting new legislation passed or helping communities obtain state funding for projects and priorities that are crucial to the health and well-being of their residents and businesses. In 2023, she was instrumental in securing $240 million in lead service line identification and replacement funds and has become one of the leading experts on water and wastewater infrastructure funding at the Legislature.
“Since the start of her time with the firm, Liz has utilized her curiosity and strong analytical skills to fiercely advocate on behalf of our clients. Over time, she has become one of the absolute go-to people at the Capitol when it comes to environmental issues facing cities across the state,” said Bradley Peterson, head of the firm’s government relations practice. “Whether it is in her work to replace dangerous lead pipes in our water systems, securing money for parks and trails, or the millions of dollars in capital investment projects she has helped secure, her work can literally be seen across the landscape of Minnesota. This promotion to shareholder is the result of her hard work, dedication, and the many successes she has delivered for our clients.”
Elizabeth is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School with a B.A. in Speech Communications and Political Science from Macalester College.
Shane joined Flaherty & Hood P.A. in 2016 and has been a standout at the Minnesota Capitol for his ability to assist clients with novel and emerging issues. His efforts on behalf of local governments that will lose significant tax base and workforce due to the retirement of large fossil-fuel plants led to the creation of two new state programs and a new state office. Shane also represented the Highway 14 Partnership as it helped secure more than $300 million for the completion of a four-lane highway. Once dubbed the “Highway of Death,” the expanded Highway 14 now carries families and freight safely throughout Southern Minnesota.
Shane’s effectiveness is built on his strong bonds with his clients, his ability to communicate complex issues into policy solutions, and his collegial approach. His promotion to shareholder is a testament to his expertise and leadership at the Capitol and among his colleagues at Flaherty & Hood.
“Throughout his career at Flaherty & Hood, Shane’s ability to bring people together has helped solve some of our clients’ toughest problems,” said Peterson. “This talent has led to helping secure the long-term viability of communities at the forefront of our state’s energy transition as well as the safety of commuters on what was Minnesota’s most dangerous highway. His work has done nothing but improve the lives of Minnesotans and the communities they live in and illustrates his true passion for advocacy.”
Shane is a graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law and holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Dakota.
Please contact Elizabeth (eawefel@flaherty-hood.com) or Shane (sazahrt@flaherty-hood.com) regarding any of your city’s legislative needs.
