Mr. Grace specializes in state and local legislative, regulatory and public policy advocacy for corporate, trade association, non-profit and local government clients.  He has an expertise in the creation and implementation of tax incentives for business development, job creation, infrastructure development, and non-profit support purposes.

Some of Mr. Grace’s successes since joining Sonnenschein in 2007 include:

•    Passage of legislation, on behalf of a Kansas City-based business advocacy organization, creating the Missouri Mega Projects tax incentive program.
•    Leverage of $200,000 in Youth Opportunity Program tax credits, on behalf of a St. Louis-based non-profit, to help fund a program assisting at-risk youth enter the workforce.
•    Legislative approval of $900,000 for a pilot program in the City of St. Louis to ease the transition of prisoner re-entry to the workforce.

In 2008 Mr. Grace was named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s list of the region’s top 30 business leaders under the age of 30.

Prior to joining Sonnenschein, Mr. Grace served as the Director of Public Policy and Legislative Affairs for the Missouri Department of Economic Development. From this position, he led the development and implementation of Governor Matt Blunt’s economic policy.  After joining the Department, Mr. Grace wasted little time building a reputation in Missouri as an authority on economic development initiatives.  In 2005 Mr. Grace led a coalition of businesses, business advocacy organizations, local governments, and community organizations that created the Missouri Quality Jobs Act.  This program is widely considered Missouri’s most effective business attraction incentive.

Previously, Mr. Grace worked for the Missourians for Matt Blunt campaign team in 2004 and as a member of Governor-elect Blunt’s gubernatorial transition team.  Prior to that, Mr. Grace worked as a lobbyist with Harness-Gallagher Governmental Consultants.