Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett each turned to lobbying powerhouse Ballard Partners for “advice related to employment practices” as they were forming a deal with the White House, according to new lobbying disclosures. Kirkland and Simpson Thacher each paid Ballard $100,000 for lobbying work on their firm’s behalf in the first quarter of this year, according to the new Lobbying Disclosure Act filings.
The registered lobbyists for Kirkland and Simpson included Brian Ballard, who founded Ballard Partners and was a top fundraiser for President Donald Trump, as well as partners Justin Sayfie and Sylvester Lukis.