Python-specific approaches to the redesign.

1) Abstract Factory Pattern -  we need a python equivalent to support differentiation.  Use this:

# Standard import
import importlib
# Load "module.submodule.MyClass"
MyClass = getattr(importlib.import_module("module.submodule"), "MyClass")
# Instantiate the class (pass arguments to the constructor, if needed)
instance = MyClass()

2)  JSON support for differentiation - use flat models as much as possible, allow additional properties for message sub-types:

   "paramkey": {
"_comment": "canonical url param key definitions",
"type": "object",
"properties": {
       "additionalProperties": true
   }

3) Database support for differentiation:  

Four strategies to support subclassing (differentiation) in Hibernate.

The original design used #4 (Joined) model, it's a common design in IBM WCS and requires more complexity to gain more flexibility.   I also used it in this design.