Lobbying has always helped the turnout of political elections in different parts of the world.
These professionals play a vital part in election turnout and they get well paid for the roles they play.
However, there’s a lot of argument going on regarding their income. And this article seeks to kill all the speculation and focus only on the facts.
Hence, this article will intimate you about the highest-paid lobbyists in the world and their earnings.
Who are Lobbyists?
Lobbyists are professional advocates who help organizations, or individuals influence political decisions.
Anyone active in a political campaign, a local community movement, or a business merger is referred to as a “lobbyist.” A lobbyist’s goal is to influence opinions, inspire ideas, and prompt actions, regardless of the cause being supported. They convince and influence legislators to support or oppose the legislation.
Advocacy success results in new legislative proposals or amendments to existing regulations and legislation. Although citizens can petition the government, businesses frequently hire lobbyists with extensive knowledge of the law in fields such as health, insurance, technology, power, and oil and gas.
What do Lobbyists Do?
The main function of a lobbyist, who works in public relations, is to meet with elected officials and try to persuade them to adopt, reject, or change legislation in which the lobbyist’s client has a vested interest.
Lobbyists are often based in the national and state capitals since they need to be close to government seats to accomplish their duties successfully.
Lobbyists typically represent trade associations and frequently collaborate with other lobbyists to obtain the desired outcome on a specific piece of legislation.
They also contact politicians’ constituencies, requesting that they put pressure on their representatives on a certain subject that is essential to their clients. When attempting to persuade others, he employs a variety of tactics.
Direct connection with legislators is the most potent and frequently contentious, in which a lobbyist invites a government official to a meal, event, or resort destination hoping to persuade them to vote under the lobbyist’s views.
Lobbyists must normally publicly declare these interactions and are frequently requested to register to avoid the impression of impropriety.
Lobbyists also work directly with the media, frequently providing research that backs up their client’s position on a particular piece of legislation.
As part of their media strategy, lobbyists will organize news conferences and issue press releases to support their client’s desired outcomes.
Lobbyists also testify at government hearings and before regulatory organizations on behalf of their clients.
Many lobbyists are former government officials who rely on their past personal relationships to carry out their job. A bachelor’s degree in political science or a related discipline is normally required.
With this job, it somewhat becomes difficult to differentiate a lobby from a bribe. Is lobbying really legal?
Is Lobbying Legal or Bribery?
Lobbying is bringing together a group of like-minded people, industries, or entities in order to influence a governing body or a lawmaker, usually through financial donations.
Bribery is defined as the payment of something—either money, goods, or an intangible favor—in exchange for a benefit or special treatment, or to gain an advantage over others.
Lobbying is legal in the United States, but bribery is not. Bribery is an attempt to gain power, whereas lobbying is only an attempt to influence it; the distinction is blurry.
More explicitly, bribery seeks to get an unfair advantage and so cannot be made public while lobbying only seeks to influence which might be towards a right decision, hence lobbying is made public.
Below, we will see a list of the highest-paid lobbyists.
How Much Do Lobbyists Make?
A lobbyist’s annual compensation in the United States is roughly $49,735 a year. Lobbyists make an average of $49,735 a year. Wages typically range from $37,137 to $112,990 per year. However, there are some high achievers.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the top highest paid lobbyists in 2022 and their average salary per year. Because lobbying is a sensitive job, individual lobbyist names are not made public; they hide under the name of their firms.
Top 20 Highest Paid Lobbyists in 2022
- #1 Akin Gump et al ($12,460,000)
- #2 Brownstein, Hyatt et al ($12,390,000)
- #3 BGR Group ($8,300,000):Cornerstone
- #4 Government Affairs ($7,750,000)
- #5 Holland & Knight ($7,360,000)
- #6 Invariant LLC ($6,620,000)
- #7 Covington & Burling ($5,590,000)
- #8 Squire Patton Boggs ($5,540,000)
- #9 Peck Madigan Jones ($5,320,000)
- #10 Forbes Tate Partners $5,280,000
- #11 Mehlman Castagnetti et al ($5,060,000)
- #12 Crossroads Strategies ($5,020,000)
- #13 Capitol Counsel ($5,040,000)
- #14 K&L Gates ($4,880,000)
- #15 Ballard Partners ($4,540,000)
- #16 Cassidy & Assoc ($4,280,000)
- #17 Thorn Run Partners ($4,240,000)
- #18 Sonoran Policy Group ($4,080,000)
- #19 Van Scoyoc Assoc ($3,950,000)
- #20 Subject Matter ($3,860,000)
#1. Akin Gump et al ($12,460,000):
Akin, Gump et al is a lobbying firm that was hired by 204 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $12,460,000. They have worked with travel agencies, health firms, and corporate organizations.
Some of their top clients include: 1776 Pharmaceuticals ($140,000), 3G Capital ($80,000), Restaurant Brands International, Aardvark Mobile Tours ($30,000)
#2. Brownstein Hyatt et al ($12,390,000)
Brownstein Hyatt et al is a lobbying firm that was hired by 238 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $12,390,000. They have worked with several pharmaceutical and health firms and also lawyers and law firms.
Some of their top clients include: AbbVie Inc – $60,000, Academy of Adoption/Assisted Reproduction Attys – $5000, Activcare Living $10,000, and AdvaMed -$60,000.
#3. BGR Group ($8,300,000)
BGR Group is a lobbying firm that was hired by 142 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $8,300,000. They majorly work with health firms and government parastatals.
Some of their top clients include: Abbott Laboratories $30,000, Abiomed Inc $60,000, AdvaMed $50,000, Affinity Living Group $80,000, AFL-CIO $50,000.
#4. Cornerstone Government Affairs ($7,750,000)
Cornerstone Government Affairs is a lobbying firm that was hired by 207 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $7,750,000. Their major clients are from the health, tech, human rights, electronics, and transport industries.
They include ACT for NIH: Advancing Cures Today $30,000, Adobe Inc $30,000, AdvaMed $50,000, Advanced Navigation & Positioning Corp $40,000, Albany-Dougherty Econ Devel Commission $20,000.
#5. Holland & Knight ($7,360,000)
Holland & Knight is a lobbying firm that was hired by 195 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $7,360,000. They have worked with construction firms and the energy industry.
Some of their top clients include: Advanced Biofuels Assn $60,000, Affordable Homeownership Coalition $30,000, Alliance for Infrastructure Reuse & Redevelopment $30,000, Alliance for Regenerative Medicine $50,000.
#6. Invariant LLC ($6,620,000)
Invariant LLC is a lobbying firm that was hired by 106 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $6,620,000. They have worked with transport firms and government parastatals.
Some of their top clients include Advantek Waste Management Services $50,000, Aerial Rapid Transit Technologies $50,000, Airbus Group $40,000, Airbus Americas, American Beverage Assn $110,000, American Council of Engineering $50,000.
#7. Covington & Burling ($5,590,000)
Covington & Burling is a lobbying firm that was hired by 56 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $5,590,000. They work majorly with health and tech firms.
Some of their top clients include: 1776 Pharmaceuticals $80,000, Advanced Technology International $40,000, Advent International $5000, Aimbridge Hospitality Lodging/Tourism, AES Corp $10,000, American Clinical Laboratory Assn $80,000, Health Services Atlas Air Worldwide $80,000.
#8. Squire Patton Boggs ($5,540,000)
Squire Patton Boggs is a lobbying firm that was hired by 108 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $5,540,000.
Some of their top clients include: Advanced Emissions Solutions $20,000, Alliance for Biosecurity $100,000, American Assn of Poison Control Centers $50,000, American Staffing Assn $20,000, American Water Works Assn $5000.
#9. Peck Madigan Jones ($5,320,000)
Peck Madigan Jones is a lobbying firm that was hired by 108 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $5,320,000.
Some of their top clients include: Academy of Managed Care Pharmacies $20,000, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals $80,000, Agios Pharmaceuticals $30,000, Airbus Group $40,000, Airbus Americas, America Is Better $40,000.
#10. Forbes Tate Partners $5,280,000
Forbes Tate Partners is a lobbying firm that was hired by 125 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $5,280,000.
Some of their top clients include: Advanced Micro Devices $60,000, Airlines for America $50,000, AlClear LLC $50,000, Alexion Pharmaceuticals $50,000, Altria Group $50,000, American College of Radiology $50,000.
#11. Mehlman, Castagnetti et al ($5,060,000)
Mehlman, Castagnetti et al is a lobbying firm that was hired by 109 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $5,060,000. hence, they are one of the highest paid lobbyists in the world.
Some of their top clients include: 3M Co $50,000, 3M Health Information Systems, AARP $50,000, ABRY Partners $50,000, Aegis Sciences, Adobe Inc $40,000, AFLAC Inc $30,000 America’s Health Insurance Plans $90,000.
#12. Capitol Counsel ($5,040,000)
Capitol Counsel is a lobbying firm that was hired by 133 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $5,040,000.
Some of their top clients include Acreage Holdings $30,000, Advanced Biofuels Assn $10,000, Advertising Coalition $100,000, Assns Allianz $10,000, Fireman’s Fund Insurance, Amalgamated Bank $20,000.
#13. Crossroads Strategies ($5,020,000)
Crossroads Strategies is a lobbying firm that was hired by 112 clients in 2022. For a total amount of $5,020,000.
Some of their top clients include: Accommodations Plus International $60,000, AEGON NV $40,000, Airlines for America $80,000, Alabama Institute for Deaf & Blind $20,000, Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas $80,000.
#14. K&L Gates ($4,880,000)
K&L Gates is a lobbying firm that was hired by 136 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $4,880,000. Hence, they are part of the highest-paid lobbyists in the world.
Some of their top clients include Flat Glass North America $20,000, Airport Minority Advisory Council $20,000, Algae Biomass Organization $10,000, American Bureau of Shipping $30,000, American Bus Assn $30,000, American Maritime Partnership $280,000.
#15. Ballard Partners ($4,540,000)
Ballard Partners is a lobbying firm that was hired by 107 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $4,540,000.
Some of their top clients include: Africell Holding $150,000, Amazon.com $70,000, American Health Care Assn $30,000, American Road & Transport Builders Assn $50,000, Asset Investment Group LLC $60,000, Atlantic Sapphire $80,000.
#16. Cassidy & Assoc ($4,280,000)
Cassidy & Assoc is a lobbying firm that was hired by 111 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $4,280,000. Hence, they are the highest-paid lobbyists in the world.
Some of their top clients include: Airbus Group $30,000, American Superconductor $20,000, Anschutz Corp $20,000, Arconic Inc $40,000, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind $50,000.
#17. Thorn Run Partners ($4,240,000)
Thorn Run Partners is a lobbying firm that was hired by 124 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $4,240,000. Hence, they make our list of highest-paid lobbyists in the world.
Some of their top clients include: AARP $40,000, Advanced Technology International $40,000, Advent International $50,000, ForeScout Technologies Electronics, Advocate Aurora Health $40,000, Alkermes Plc $50,000,Alliance for Cell Therapy Now $20,000.
#18. Sonoran Policy Group ($4,080,000)
Sonoran Policy Group is a lobbying firm that was hired by 2 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $4,080,000. Some of their top clients include Horizon Therapeutics $80,000. Nadar, George $4,000,000.
#19. Van Scoyoc Assoc ($3,950,000)
Van Scoyoc Assoc is a lobbying firm that was hired by 170 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $3,950,000.
Some of their top clients include: ACE Aeronautics $30,000, Acerinox $10,000, North American Stainless, Aerovironment Inc $30,000, Alabama State Port Authority $20,000, Alameda Contra Costa Transit District $20,000
#20. Subject Matter ($3,860,000)
Subject Matter is a lobbying firm that was hired by 80 clients in 2022, for a total amount of $3,860,000. Hence, they are part of the highest-paid lobbyists in the world.
Some of their top clients include: Adelanto HealthCare Ventures $30,000, Amazon.com $60,000, American Gaming Assn $50,000, American Innovation: The AI Project $10,000, American Investment Council $50,000.
Top Spenders on Lobbying
According to OpenSecrets.org, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ($77 million), the Open Society Policy Center ($48 million), and the National Association of Realtors ($41 million) were the top three spenders in 2019 on lobbyists.
Frequently Asked Questions
A lobbyist is any professional advocate who helps organizations or individuals influence political decisions.
The main function of a lobbyist who works in public relations is to meet with elected officials and try to persuade them to adopt, reject, or change legislation in which the lobbyist’s client has a vested interest.
The top highest paid lobbyists of 2022 are:
Akin Gump et al ($12,460,000)
Brownstein, Hyatt et al ($12,390,000)
BGR Group ($8,300,000):Cornerstone
Government Affairs ($7,750,000)
Holland & Knight ($7,360,000)
Invariant LLC ($6,620,000)
Covington & Burling ($5,590,000)
Squire Patton Boggs ($5,540,000)
Peck Madigan Jones ($5,320,000)
Forbes Tate Partners $5,280,000
Conclusion
There you have the Top Highest Paid Lobbyists of 2022. They comprise firms that have handled a lot of clients to those that have handled just a few clients. However, these are the biggest names in lobbying for 2022.
References
- opensecrets.org – Top Lobbying Firms
- satista.com – Leading Lobbying Firms
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