Capitol Counsel picks up Dem lobbyist

Capitol Counsel, one of K Street’s top lobby shops, has brought on a new Democratic lobbyist.

Brad Mollet, a former senior aide to several Democratic lawmakers, is joining the firm as a principal after having launched his own lobby shop, the Fleet Street Group.

{mosads}Mollet has been a legislative director for former Rep. Betsy Markey (D-Colo.) as well as an aide to Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah).

“Brad has long been a tireless advocate for his clients,” said former Rep. Jim McCrery (R-La.), a partner at the firm, in a statement. “Now his deep knowledge of Congress and how it works will pay great dividends for our clients as well.”

Mollet said he looked forward to expanding the firm’s footprint in Washington.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with such a distinguished D.C. firm,” Mollet said. “I look forward to helping the firm expand its footprint in appropriations, tax and agriculture policy.”

Capitol Counsel is one of the highest-earning firms in the influence industry and has seen its business boom during a slow year for K Street. The firm has taken in $10.7 million in lobbying fees so far this year, a big jump over the $8.8 million they had earned at this point in 2012. 

The firm represents some of the nation’s biggest corporate brands, lobbying for Amgen, Cisco Systems and Hilton Worldwide, according to disclosure records.