Government Law & Policy Archives

How to Become a Lobbyist in California

Blog, Government Law & Policy / By McGeorge School of Law

If government and law is your passion, there are many areas you can work. Lobbying is one of them. If you have ever wondered how to become a lobbyist, you have come to the right place.

What is a lobbyist?

Lobbyists are professional advocates that work to influence political decisions on behalf of individuals and organizations. This advocacy could lead to the proposal of new legislation or the amendment of existing laws and regulations.

There are four types of lobbyist jobs out there:

Contract
In-house / GR
Association
Government

For each, there are different kinds of employers. The job description and position may also vary. Let’s go into more detail for each category.

Contract lobbyists get contracted by lobbyist employers to work on their behalf. They get employed by a lobbying firm. They get contracted out by unions, companies, and more. In order to become a contract lobbyist, you must register with the Secretary of State. Plus, you’ll need to take a lobbyist ethics course.

In-house lobbyists are full-time employees of a business. They do local, state, and/or federal lobbying on behalf of their employer. As with contract lobbyists, they must register with the Secretary of State and take the ethics course.

Association lobbyists are full-time employees of a trade association. A trade association is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry. Other names for trade associations include:

Industry trade groups
Business associations
Sector associations, and
Industry bodies

Association lobbyists must also register with the State and take the ethics course.

Government lobbyists are full-time employees of a state agency, department, board, or commission. They engage in lobbying on behalf of a government administration. These lobbyists appear before the Legislature to advocate on behalf of the administration. These are the only lobbyists that do not have to register with the State. This is because they are state employees.

How do you become a lobbyist?

In order to become a lobbyist, there are a few steps you should follow. First, earning a degree that will help you in the field is essential. After your bachelor’s degree, earning a Master of Science in Law (MSL) is the perfect next step. Getting your degree in law or government can help your career.

Further, working in a related field and networking is crucial. You can learn about local issues and form relationships. Networking can help you find a job lobbying. Finally, you will likely need to register with the Secretary of State. Lobbyists who incur $2,500 in lobbying activity in a quarterly filing period must file. You also must take the lobbyist ethics course.

How can an MSL help?

McGeorge School of Law has a Government Law and Policy MSL that can help further your career as a lobbyist. As a student, you can enhance your skills in:

Lawmaking
Regulation
Election law, and
Lobbying.

Plus, you won’t have to get a traditional law degree.

The faculty at McGeorge get hired for their outstanding teaching. In addition, they are experts with in-depth knowledge of government law. Courses emphasize real-world knowledge and the development of practical skills.

McGeorge’s prime location is another advantage. The school’s proximity to the California State Capitol allows students unique connections. Their program is online as well. They are convenient and specifically designed for:

Working professionals
Students who need flexibility due to career, family, or other obligations,
Those who want to further their education and advance their career.

The program allows for flexibility and opportunity.

Conclusion

If you’re wondering how to become a lobbyist, look no further. McGeorge’s MSL program in Government and Law is a strategic step. Take advantage of the location, the resources, and the opportunity. Contact the admissions office today to get started.

How to Become a Lobbyist in California Read More »

Learn from a Current MSL Student

Blog, Government Law & Policy, Student Story, Webinars / By McGeorge School of Law

Lazaro Cardenas (MSL ‘22) is the Chief for the newly created Health in All Policies/Racial and Health Equity Section in the Office of Health Equity at the California Department of Public Health. He chose McGeorge’s Master of Science in Law (MSL) program to get legal training that will advance his career in equity and public health without a JD degree.

Lazaro spoke with us in a webinar about his decision. Before enrolling in the McGeorge program, Lazaro worked as a fellow and legislative aide for the California State Assembly and then as an environmental justice and tribal affairs specialist for the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Lazaro recently served as a racial equity specialist in the California Department of Public Health where he was recently promoted to build and run a new section to advance health and racial equity in California State government.

It had been six years since he earned his undergraduate degree, and he took stock of his experience and skillset. Lazaro said he considered pursuing a Master of Public Policy or Master of Public Administration degree, “but those options didn’t make sense for me.”

Instead, Lazaro concluded the best strategy was to pursue a Master of Science and Law with a focus on government and health law. “With my work at state agencies, and especially my work on equity, having a legal framework and legal skills was what was missing,” he said. “I needed those skills to grow in my career.”

Flexibility, Reputation, and Professional Network

As an MSL student, you can choose to attend the McGeorge MSL program in person, online, or a combination of the two. Because Lazaro planned to continue working full time while pursuing his graduate degree, selecting a flexible program was a high priority. Lazaro attends a mix of online and on-campus courses, which provides the flexible school schedule he needs. Additionally, Lazaro told us, the program offers him the flexibility of taking coursework in health law plus other sectors of the law.

Lazaro compared the experience of taking both in-person and online courses, saying the combination works well for him. “The asynchronous online courses gave me the flexibility I needed to continue my career path,” he said. “The course design and course portal make it clear what is required each week, making it easy to stay on track and be accountable.”

Working in the Sacramento area, Lazaro knew of McGeorge’s solid reputation and the school’s extensive network of professionals in the Sacramento area and beyond. The opportunity to tap into this network was a compelling reason that factored into his decision to pursue the MSL program.

“For all these reasons,” he told us, “McGeorge made the most sense for me.”

Lazaro said he is halfway through the program and already feels more equipped to engage with issues of compliance and change within organizations, especially within a legal framework. His health law coursework has direct and practical application to the real-world issues he sees in his work. “I feel very confident,” he said, “about how this program will drive my career forward.”

To hear more of our conversation with Lazaro and more details about the MSL program, listen to the webinar.

McGeorge’s Online MSL & LLM Programs

McGeorge offers both in-person and online programs. The two fully online part-time Master of Science in Law programs are:

The MSL in Government Law & Policy is designed for local, state, and federal agency employees, and for lobbyists, legislative staff, and others who seek to enhance their skills in lawmaking, regulation, election law, and lobbying but who do not require a traditional law degree.
The MSL in Water & Environmental Law provides value to land-use planners, engineers, environmental consultants, and others who seek expertise in this continually-evolving field but who do not require a JD degree.

Additionally, a fully online part-time LLM in Water & Environmental Law program is for attorneys, recent law school graduates, or foreign-educated legal professionals to develop depth of knowledge in a specialized area of environmental, water resources, regulatory compliance, and public agency law.

Students build marketable expertise with the guidance of expert faculty chosen for outstanding teaching as well as the depth of knowledge in government law, water resources, or environmental law. Courses emphasize real-world knowledge and the development of practical skills. The programs are convenient and are specifically designed for working professionals or students who need flexibility due to career, family, or other obligations, and who want to further their education and advance their career.

Start building your career today with McGeorge School of Law Online. For more information, contact us at graduatelaw@pacific.edu or 916.739.7019.

Learn from a Current MSL Student Read More »