This guide breaks down the top 10 federal lobbying firms by revenue heading into 2026, the trends driving next year's spending, and how to evaluate the right partner for your organization's actual goals.
Key Takeaways
- Federal lobbying spending reached a record $5.3 billion in 2025
- Ballard Partners, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, and BGR Government Affairs lead the industry by revenue
- Executive branch access, AI policy, and healthcare/pharma pricing are the top drivers of 2026 lobbying activity
- Choose a firm for practice-area fit and political access over masthead size alone
Overview of Federal Lobbying in the U.S.
Federal lobbying is the paid, regulated practice of influencing legislation, regulation, and executive branch decisions on behalf of a client. It's governed by the Lobbying Disclosure Act and tracked through mandatory quarterly filings. That framework sets it apart from the looser, less-regulated advocacy that happens at the state and local level.
The industry's scale has expanded quickly. Total spending reached $5.3 billion in 2025. Of that, clients paid $2.84 billion directly to outside contract lobbying firms, a 26% jump over 2024, according to Bloomberg Government's analysis of Lobbying Disclosure Act filings from 360 firms.
That growth has reshuffled the leaderboard. Below is a ranking of the top-performing federal lobbying firms by 2025 revenue and influence heading into 2026.
Top 10 Federal Lobbying Firms in the U.S. in 2026
This ranking is based on 2025 revenue, client retention, breadth of federal practice areas, and demonstrated legislative wins. Each profile sticks to the essentials.
Ballard Partners LLC
Ballard Partners has become one of K Street's fastest-rising names, largely on the strength of its deep ties to the current presidential administration and its Florida political network. Founded in 1998 in Tallahassee, it earned a national profile by pairing bipartisan client work with senior-level executive branch access.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Revenue | $88.2 million |
| Known For | Executive branch access; alumni ties reaching senior administration officials; bipartisan client roster |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. (founded 1998, Tallahassee, FL) |
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP
Brownstein operates a dual law-and-lobbying structure that spans energy, healthcare, and international client work. Founded in Denver in 1968, it also fields a specialized crisis management and reputation advisory practice, including brand-defense work and foreign client representation.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Revenue | $73.9 million |
| Known For | Crisis management, brand and reputation defense, cybersecurity advisory, foreign client work |
| Headquarters | Denver, CO (founded 1968), major Washington, D.C. practice |
BGR Government Affairs LLC
BGR made its name on high-volume congressional outreach paired with international and foreign-client representation. The Washington-based firm, founded in 1991, also runs a notable media strategy arm, placing op-eds and coordinating interviews for clients under public scrutiny.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Revenue | $71.2 million |
| Known For | Op-ed placement, media training, digital and social media strategy |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. (founded 1991) |
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Akin Gump ranks among the highest all-time earners in lobbying, built on strong in-person congressional relationships. The firm, founded in 1945, fields a bipartisan federal team of roughly 95 professionals, including former members of Congress such as Lamar Smith.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Revenue | $65.4 million |
| Known For | Large bipartisan team; former members of Congress on staff; foreign government representation |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. (founded 1945) |
Cornerstone Government Affairs Inc.
Cornerstone runs a full-service federal and state practice spanning multiple industries. Founded in Washington, D.C. in 2002, it relies on a bipartisan staffing model that now supports over 600 clients and 200 professionals.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Revenue | $55.8 million |
| Known For | Bipartisan staffing model; sector diversification; large client roster |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. (founded 2002) |
Holland & Knight LLP
Holland & Knight integrates legal and lobbying services inside a major national law firm with roots in Tampa dating to 1889. Its lawyers and lobbyists combine legal, political, regulatory, and media analysis under one roof.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Revenue | $55.1 million |
| Known For | Cross-practice legal, political, and regulatory advisory capability |
| Headquarters | Tampa, FL (founded 1889), major Washington, D.C. practice |
Miller Strategies LLC
Miller Strategies has grown quickly on a client roster that includes major national brands. The firm emphasizes policy advocacy, regulatory-risk management, and legislative strategy for corporate clients navigating federal exposure.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Revenue | $51.2 million |
| Known For | Regulatory-risk management; legislative strategy for major national brands |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
Invariant LLC
Invariant holds a strong reputation in technology and corporate government affairs. Founded in 2007, the firm combines advocacy, crisis management, coalition-building, and public relations under one strategic umbrella for corporate clients.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Revenue | $47.1 million |
| Known For | Advocacy, coalition-building, and PR for corporate and tech clients |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. (founded 2007) |
Thorn Run Partners
Thorn Run runs a bipartisan boutique model centered on senior-level access rather than headcount. Launched in 2010, the firm has developed a strong healthcare and life-sciences practice, working extensively with Congress, CMS, HRSA, and the FDA.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Revenue | $32.4 million |
| Known For | Healthcare and life-sciences practice; senior-level bipartisan access |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. (launched 2010) |
Cassidy & Associates Inc.
Cassidy is one of the earliest major lobbying firms in Washington and remains closely associated with appropriations and earmark work. It has kept a long-standing presence at 607 14th Street NW in Washington, D.C.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Revenue | $30.6 million |
| Known For | Appropriations and earmark lobbying pedigree |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
Key Trends Shaping Federal Lobbying in 2026
The Executive Branch Gets More Attention
White House-directed lobbying activity rose more than 70% in 2025, according to Bloomberg Government, even though Congress remains the single most-lobbied entity overall. Proximity to the current administration has become a decisive factor in which firms win new business.
That shift explains why firms with administration alumni, like Ballard Partners, have grown so fast. Clients now want relationships on both ends—Hill contacts and the people writing executive orders and agency rules.
Congress is unlikely to stay sidelined for long. Most K Street veterans expect a 2027 congressional power shift, and firms are already rebalancing resources back toward Capitol Hill. Betting only on executive access carries real risk if control of the House changes hands.
Where the Money Is Going
A handful of issue areas are absorbing most of the new spending:
- Healthcare and pharma pricing: Medicare drug pricing and PBM transparency remain top-tier issues
- AI policy frameworks: ethics, workforce impact, and national security implications
- Cryptocurrency and blockchain regulation: a fast-growing category with new entrants each quarter
- Energy and climate policy: ongoing fights over federal energy independence priorities
Foreign Lobbying Keeps Climbing
Foreign lobbying under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) continues to grow alongside domestic activity. Firms including BGR and Akin Gump still run active foreign-government rosters that sit alongside—and sometimes overlap—their domestic federal practices.
How We Chose the Top Lobbying Firms
This ranking relies on 2025 and early-2026 revenue data, client retention, breadth of federal practice areas, and each firm's legislative track record. Revenue is only one input, though—equating firm size with the best fit is a costly assumption.
A firm's revenue tells you how much business it does. It doesn't tell you whether its team has the right relationships for your specific issue.
Factors that matter just as much as size or brand:
- Industry-specific expertise in your actual policy area
- Political party balance relative to your organization's needs
- Executive-branch relationships when regulatory action matters most
- Responsiveness and how quickly a team mobilizes on fast-moving issues
Conclusion
The right federal lobbying firm is the one whose practice-area expertise and political access match your organization's specific goals—not the one with the highest revenue.
Before committing, weigh:
- Firm size versus personalized attention
- Depth of sector focus
- Ability to work federal, state, and local levels at once
For organizations that want hands-on, insider-driven advocacy rather than a name on a masthead, boutique firms offer a different model. Galvanize Strategies, for example, gives clients direct partner-level access, with founders who've served in state legislature and run statewide political operations personally involved in the work.
Its roster spans Latino-focused groups like Chicanos por la Causa, clean-energy advocates such as Americans for Affordable Clean Energy, and organizations in healthcare and education. Reported results include 376+ pieces of legislation passed or killed and $600 million-plus in government procurement secured across federal, state, and local levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the largest lobbying groups in the United States?
By 2025 revenue, the largest federal lobbying firms include Ballard Partners, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, and BGR Government Affairs. These are hired lobbying firms, distinct from single-issue advocacy groups or trade associations like PhRMA.
What are the largest foreign lobbying groups in the US?
Countries such as the Marshall Islands, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and China have historically spent the most on U.S.-registered foreign agents, per OpenSecrets' FARA tracking data. This spending is tracked separately from domestic federal lobbying under FARA.
Who are some of the most well-known lobbyists in the US?
Many of the best-known lobbyists are former lawmakers or administration officials now at major K Street firms—the revolving door in practice. Senior ranks at firms such as Akin Gump and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck routinely include ex-Representatives and former agency leaders.
How much do federal lobbying firms typically charge?
Fees vary widely. Boutique firms often work on monthly retainers, while top K Street firms can command seven-figure annual contracts for complex, multi-issue engagements.
What is the difference between a lobbyist and a lobbying firm?
A lobbyist is an individual registered under the Lobbying Disclosure Act to influence policy on a client's behalf. A lobbying firm is the organization, often employing multiple lobbyists across different practice areas.
How do I choose the right federal lobbying firm for my organization?
Focus on practice-area fit, political access relevant to your issue, and a verifiable track record. A boutique firm offering direct partner access may outperform a bigger name for many organizations, especially if you need coordinated work at both the state and federal level.
