Breaux and Gephardt. Gerard and Maloney. Berman and Podesta. According to First Street, these were among the most powerful lobbyists in Washington this year.
Using the amount their firms were paid, the number and diversity of clients and the number of Fortune 100 clients they represented, First Street compiled lists of the top lobbyists in town, divided among former members of Congress, former staffers and professional lobbyists.
The former staffers are:
- Randall Gerard – Podesta Group
- Christopher Hatcher – Williams and Jensen
- Kate Hull – Fierce, Isakowitz & Blalock
- Drew Maloney – Ogilvy Government Relations
- Jeffrey McMillen – Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
- Michael Merola – Winning Strategies Washington
- Daniel Meyer – The Duberstein Group
- Jonathan Talisman – Capitol Tax Partners
- Alex Vogel – Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti
- Letitia White – Innovative Federal Strategies
These lobbyists all average over 50 clients, who paid an average of $144,737 for their services, according to First Street. This was the inaugural edition of the ranking, dubbed the First Street 30. First Street — an arm of CQ Press formed this year — analyzes government and lobbying data and issues weekly reports about policy.