Even in disgrace, Washington lobbyists made more money than ever last year: The top ten lobbying firms brought in $401 million, up from $374 million the year before. Leader of the pack, according to the Legal Times compilation for 2005, was Patton Boggs with $76 million in lobbying revenues.
One of the biggest losers was Greenberg Traurig, the law firm where convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff plied his trade. Without Abramoff, the firm’s business tumbled 17 percent.
The biggest percentage gainer was Barbour Griffith & Rogers, whose revenues jumped 47 percent, partly due to name partner Haley Barbour’s now being the governor of Mississippi. Though no longer on the payroll, Barbour doesn’t mind letting his name be used on the firm’s letterhead.