How do I get involved in lobbying?

Question

I graduated from law school and am a newly licensed attorney in my state, but at this time, the idea of being a lawyer does not interest me. I'm particularly interested in lobbying, however, because my presumptions are that it provides for more interaction with others, allows me to affect decision-making of others, and potentially provides for more immediate gratification (as opposed to the drawn-out cat-and-mouse game of litigation). Can anyone provide any further insight into this field and how I could potentially get involved in it, not on a voluntary basis but on a professional level? A further presumption is that this field relies heavily on who you know.

Answer 1

And lobbyist get paid large amounts of money... also a plus.

My company has hired lobbying firms in the past and a while back we hired a former lobbyist as our sales manager (her husband is now the only one lobbying in their family).

It is 95% who you know... and 95% of the lobbyist in the U.S. live in Washington DC where the majority of the law makers are. It is possible to get a job with a lobbying firm, but the firms usually court past assistance to powerful elected officials who have connections or retired/former elected officials themselves (Senator John Breaux of LA makes a small fortune off the contacts he made as a senator for 18 years, Bob Livingston (former speaker of the house from LA - stepped down because of some scandal) has his own lobbying group based in DC).

If you don't live in DC, I would suggest trying to get a job locally with a state senator or representative. The employ lawyers all the time to help write the laws for them that they then present to the rest of the representatives. Make connections (preferably bipartisan connections) however you can. Its all about networking and who you know.

Answer 2

it's hard to become a lobbyist with no experience. they usually are staffers to elected people first. or have another kind of expertise. That's how you get to know the people or the contacts you need. I suggest you apply to be a staffer for a congressperson from your district. You could also consider interning with a lobbying firm to learn more.