Why It Matters
The Association of Administrative Law Judges switched representation to Alignment Government Strategies on September 3, after the firm acquired Meltsner Strategies LLC on August 31. The group is lobbying on government-related issues spanning 21 distinct issue codes, though no specific legislation was listed in the filing. The organization has been active on government and retirement issues over the past five years and reported $182,800 in lobbying expenses over the past four quarters.
By the Numbers
Alignment Government Strategies assigned three active lobbyists to the account: Mike Beer, a Partner; Jim Meltsner, a Vice President; and Jenny DiJames, a Partner. Beer has prior congressional experience, having served as Senior Legislative Assistant to former Rep. David Hobson (R-OH). DiJames served in Congress as a staffer across four consecutive Congresses spanning 1999 to 2007. Meltsner does not have prior government experience but has filed 27 lobbying disclosures across his career.
Between The Lines
Several bills related to the federal judiciary and government operations remain pending in Congress. H.R. 4448 (117th Congress) was sponsored by Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA), had a Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held on July 20, 2021, and has a status of In Committee. Additionally, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) has advocated for transitioning the nation's immigration court system into an independent judiciary through proposed legislation, with endorsements from the Federal Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
The Bottom Line
The Association of Administrative Law Judges is now represented by a firm with deep ties to government affairs, and the switch in representation comes as judges face heightened political pressure and operational challenges. It remains to be seen how this switch will change the association's lobbying strategy.
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