Ballard Partners Sees Surge in Lobbying Revenues Amid Political Shift
Ballard Partners, the lobbying firm helmed by a prominent fundraiser for President Donald Trump, has experienced a remarkable increase in its quarterly lobbying revenues, more than tripling compared to the same period last year. This surge comes as businesses and organizations seek assistance from select firms closely aligned with the new administration, navigating a second Trump term characterized by volatility and a focus on retribution.
For the first quarter of 2024, Ballard is set to report $14 million in lobbying revenues, a significant rise from the $6.2 million it earned in the previous quarter. In the same quarter last year, Ballard had reported revenues of $4.2 million.
While many of the largest lobbying firms on K Street have not yet disclosed their first-quarter revenues ahead of the impending deadline, Ballard’s impressive figures will likely place it among the leaders in the field.
The onset of any new administration typically proves lucrative for the lobbying sector, and business had already been thriving on K Street even before Trump returned to office.
At the close of last year, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck topped the revenue charts with $16.9 million in the fourth quarter, according to a POLITICO analysis, while Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld followed closely with $14.6 million. In the first quarter of 2025, Brownstein’s revenue saw a slight dip, landing at $16.8 million.
Brian Ballard, a veteran Florida lobbyist, established a Washington office for his firm shortly after Trump’s first presidential victory in 2017, quickly becoming a go-to resource for companies and trade associations trying to decipher the unpredictable political landscape emanating from the Oval Office.
Although Ballard’s team includes several Democratic lobbyists, the firm saw a downturn during the Biden administration. Nevertheless, it managed to maintain its standing as one of the top 20 firms on K Street, as per POLITICO’s analysis.
This year’s surge for Ballard reflects a typical shift seen whenever power changes hands in Washington, as corporate America scrambles to forge connections with incoming presidents or congressional leaders. However, this dynamic has intensified ahead of Trump’s second presidency. Alongside Ballard, other firms with established ties to the administration, including Miller Strategies, Mercury Public Affairs, Michael Best Strategies, and Continental Strategies, have also witnessed a flood of new business since November. Notably, these firms have not yet responded to inquiries regarding their first-quarter earnings.
In a striking display of Ballard’s growing influence, the firm has welcomed over 130 new lobbying clients since Election Day, including major players like JP Morgan Chase, Chevron, Palantir, Netflix, Ripple Labs, and the Business Roundtable. Notably, the firm has also registered to lobby on behalf of several entities that have found themselves in the crosshairs of the Trump administration, including Harvard University’s governing body, the Public Broadcasting Service, and the law firm Kirkland & Ellis. Interestingly, Ballard is also registered to lobby for Axel Springer, the parent company of POLITICO.
Several former Ballard lobbyists have secured high-ranking positions within Trump’s second administration, such as Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Another former employee, Trent Morse, now serves as Trump’s deputy director of personnel. Ballard’s roots in Florida also enable it to maintain valuable relationships with influential Floridians in Trump’s Washington, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
