Reuters Quotes Ros-Lehtinen and Miller on Importance of Diversity within Lobbying Industry

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, senior advisor in the public law and policy practice at Akin Gump, and Virgil Miller, a senior policy advisor at the firm, have been quoted in the Reuters article “K Street looks in the mirror on diversity amid lobbying boom.” The story examines how diversity within the lobbying industry can help shape various policy outcomes.

Ros-Lehtinen noted that as firms seek to get work, diversity can offer a competitive advantage. As the first Hispanic woman to serve in Congress, she said diversity “is not an added benefit,” but a necessity given changing U.S. demographics.

Miller added that firms need to be as strategic about racial, ethnic and gender diversity as they are in having political diversity.

“Firms are deliberate about balance when it comes to Democratic lobbyists versus Republican lobbyists because they want to be able to fully service the client,” Miller said. “They have to be just as aggressive when it comes to having a diverse roster of professionals.”