FOR MANY ASSOCIATIONS, a crucial aspect of their mission is to advocate their legislative agenda before Congress. Likewise, association lobbying can be a welcome boon to firms, especially since lobbying revenue has declined in recent years. But which firms are the most influential in the association space, both in terms of clients and income? And, conversely, which associations spend the most on lobbying, and therefore are among the most influential in government relations?
Based on data from Lobbyists.info, we were able to determine the top five lobbying firms for total active association clients as well as for total association income in 2013:
- K&L Gates LLP: 24 association clients
- Ernst & Young and Patton Boggs LLP: 23 association clients
- Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville, PC: 22 association clients
- Capitol Counsel LLC and The Podesta Group: 21 association clients
- Hogan Lovells LLP and Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc.: 20 association clients
There are few surprises on this list for anyone familiar with the government relations industry, but how do these firms stack up in terms of total association income for 2013?
- Patton Boggs LLP: $6,090,000
- The Podesta Group: $4,430,000
- Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti Inc.: $4,100,000
- Ernst & Young: $3,940,000
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP: $3,930,000
While this list contains some of the biggest firms on K Street, it’s clear that catering to the association space can prove lucrative. It’s also evident that associations see the worth in investing considerable funds to lobby Congress effectively, but which associations (and industries) wielded the most significant monetary clout on K Street in 2013?
- Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA): $275,781
- National Cable & Telecommunications Association: $211,365
- Edison Electric Institute: $148,962
- Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO): $130,845
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce: $128,832
These associations represent some of the biggest and most lucrative industries in America, so it’s no shock that they have the most money to spend on lobbying, but they’re not the only associations who are willing to spend significant cash to further their legislative agendas; four other associations spent six figures in 2013, and 35 others spent more than $50,000. Despite congressional gridlock and a government shutdown, associations are finding ways to make themselves heard on Capitol Hill.
Tags: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Capitol Counsel LLC, Edison Electric Institute, Ernst & Young, Hogan Lovells LLP, K&L Gates LLP, mehlman vogel castagnetti, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Patton Boggs LLP, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville, The Podesta Group, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, van scoyoc associates
