How do I transition from Capitol Hill to K Street? How do you run a lobbying shop? How do I know what firm is the right place for me? How does a firm stay true to itself when it is rapidly expanding?
In 2025, we asked Bloomberg Government readers what you wanted to read and the feedback was consistent: the business of lobbying.
We set out to offer a space for lobbyists to tell their story and provide practical advice that any reader—regardless of political party—could find useful. And as the saying goes, we built it and you came. Below is a recap of the pieces we’ve run since launching our Business of Lobbying Insights this fall.
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Deciding on Second Act After Congress Has Clear Do’s and Don’ts. Former US Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), now with Mercury Public Affairs, offers tips to members of Congress who are transitioning back to the private sector. Her advice includes taking every meeting, seeking advice from the best in the field and not basing your decision on money. Read More.
How to Ensure You Stick the Landing When Jumping Off the Hill. CGCN Group Senior Partner Scott Riplinger writes that stepping away from the Hill while staying in touch successfully requires careful planning and networking. Read More.
Want to Start a New Advocacy Organization? Think Like a Startup. Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich says the way Silicon Valley founders build companies can translate well to building a policy advocacy group that’s capable of real impact. Read More.
How to Show, Not Tell, Your Government Relations Team Adds Value. Public Affairs Council President and CEO Nneka Chiazor explains four ways to communicate how your government relations practice is adding value and making an impact for clients. Read More.
Ethics Offers ‘Hangover Cure’ for Government Relations Headaches. Eduardo Soto, a principal in Raben’s government affairs and issue campaigns practice areas, writes that as partisan politics upend many norms and institutions, those in government relations must prioritize ethical standards and behavior to avoid having regrets later. Read More.
Transition From Hill to K Street May Be Rocky but Has Rewards. Former US Rep. Tom Davis, now with Holland & Knight, says if you’re a Hill staffer or a member of Congress looking to leave the US Capitol but aren’t sure where to go or what your next career step should be, moving to K Street may be your logical destination. But, he cautions, it’s not for everyone. Read More.
Navigating Influence as a Representative for Global Company in DC. Ryan Modlin, who leads government affairs for North America at Norsk Hydro, writes that advocating for a global company in Washington requires keeping up good with relationships with lawmakers and stakeholders across the aisle and all over the world. Read More.
A Growing Lobbying Firm Must Build Team Trust to Keep Its Brand. C. Stewart Verdery Jr. writes that lobbying firms can evolve into a large enterprise while maintaining a small-firm feel through several guiding principles. Those include dividing responsibilities, hiring team players over lone rangers, building trust through fair, flexible incentives, and redefining advocacy beyond lobbying. Read More.
Running a Durable Shop Requires Principles Learned Outside Class. Karishma Page, a partner at K&L Gates and a member of the firm’s public policy and law practice, writes that there’s no class to teach you to stand up a successful, durable policy shop. But keeping trust, teamwork, and transformation in mind will help set you apart during a time of rapid development and change. Read More.
Lobbying Isn’t the Problem—Lack of Diverse Representation Is: Larry Gonzalez is a founding principal at Raben and was recently named president of the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics. He writes about the importance of diversity in representation and ensuring that every community has the means to be heard. Read More.
This article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg Industry Group, Inc., the publisher of Bloomberg Law, Bloomberg Tax, and Bloomberg Government, or its owners.
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