Several Lobbying Firms Enjoyed Second Quarter Financial Success

The economic slowdown hasn't meant a slowdown in revenue for many well-connected K Street lobbying firms. During the second quarter of 2009, several lobby shops reported earning significantly more than they did during the same period last year.

Topping the list of firms who had the biggest increase compared to the second quarter of 2008 is the Podesta Group (formerly PodestaMattoon), which long-time Democratic strategist Anthony Podesta founded. During the second quarter of 2009, the firm reported earning about $6.4 million -- nearly $2.5 million more than it earned during the second quarter of 2008. To date, their lobbying has been most prolific around appropriations and the federal budget. They have also worked on various defense, health care, energy and other issues.

Another notable increase is show by the Gephardt Group, the lobbying and consulting firm founded by former Democratic majority leader and presidential candidate Richard Gephardt. His firm earned about $1.3 million during the second quarter of 2009, an increase of 250 percent compared to the second quarter of 2008. So far during 2009, the company has earned $2.4 million -- nearly three times as much as it earned during all of 2007. To date, they have also been most active on the hot issues of health care and energy.

Here is a list of the top nine firms showing the largest increase in lobbying during the second quarter of 2009, compared to the second quarter of 2008, each of which earned at least $800,000 more this quarter than they did during the same period last year.
Firm Second Quarter,2009 Second Quarter,2008 Difference
Podesta Group $6,370,000 $3,910,000 $2,460,000
Brownstein, Hyatt et al $5,405,000 $3,560,000 $1,845,000
Holland & Knight $5,330,000 $3,860,000 $1,470,000
Bryan Cave LLP $1,570,000 $120,000 $1,450,000
Crowell & Moring $1,300,000 $350,000 $950,000
Nelson, Mullins et al $1,500,000 $550,000 $950,000
Gephardt Group $1,280,000 $360,000 $920,000
Arnold & Porter $1,770,000 $952,000 $818,000
Van Scoyoc Assoc $7,345,000 $6,545,000 $800,000