Venable senior legislative advisor Rob Smith was quoted in a January 26, 2014 article in The Hill on trends among major lobbying firms in 2013 relating to new clients. Despite a down year for the industry, about 50 major firms managed to bring in an average of one new client a month. Among the firms which brought on the most clients last year, many still saw double digit terminations of existing clients.
“The pie that we're competing for isn't growing,” said Smith commenting on the increased competition for new clients. Smith said Venable is always looking for new clients, registering 19 last year, but also focuses heavily on maintaining strong relationships with existing clients. “If you're not focused on your current clients — they have options,” he added. “You have to protect your own slice of pie before you reach for another slice.”
“The pie that we're competing for isn't growing,” said Smith commenting on the increased competition for new clients. Smith said Venable is always looking for new clients, registering 19 last year, but also focuses heavily on maintaining strong relationships with existing clients. “If you're not focused on your current clients — they have options,” he added. “You have to protect your own slice of pie before you reach for another slice.”