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The revenue gap between the top federal lobbying firms is narrowing, according to the firms' fourth-quarter results announced Tuesday.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld said Tuesday it raked in $9.67 million in 2018's final quarter, while Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck said it brought in $9 million.

Akin Gump has led the rankings of top lobbying firms as measured by revenue since overtaking Squire Patton Boggs in 2014, while Brownstein skipped ahead of Squire in 2015, according to data collected by OpenSecrets. The two firms have placed atop the rankings of top lobbying firms ever since, with Akin Gump in the lead but Brownstein following ever closer, separated by approximately $700,000 in 2018's third quarter.

Tuesday marks the due date for registered lobbyists firms to report fourth quarter revenues  under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. Brownstein's filing shows it outperforming its previous year's results, while Akin Gump saw a decline. Brownstein said its total federal lobbying revenues reached $31,610,000 in 2018, up approximately 8 percent year over year from 2017. Akin Gump recorded $37,624,000 in total annual lobbying revenue for 2018, which is down from $38,984,000 in 2017 but above its 2016 results.

“Our strong fourth quarter and year-over-year performance stems from our tremendous bipartisan and bicameral team,” said Marc Lampkin, Brownstein government relations department chair, in a statement. “We anticipate continued growth and success during the new Congress with recent additions to our outstanding group of public policy professionals.”

Brownstein said earlier this month it elected Rich Benenson to replace Adam Agron as managing partner of the firm, with Benenson set to take leadership July 1. Last year Greg Brower, the FBI's former top congressional liaison, moved to Brownstein in D.C. and Las Vegas.

Akin Gump's $9.67 million 2018 fourth-quarter revenue is down from $10,024,000 in 2017, but above its 2016 fourth quarter revenue results. The firm blamed the dip in part on the midterm elections and said the new year has been busy so far.

“Despite it being an election year—when activity tends to slow down a bit—2018 ended up being a very strong year for us, and we were able to close on a high note,” said Brian Pomper, co-head of the firm's public law and policy practice. “And in spite of the shutdown, 2019 has been off to a strong start as well. This is a reflection of our bipartisan strength, and especially our depth on the Democratic side. With a Democratic-controlled House now seated, I think there are real opportunities for bipartisan legislation on issues such as privacy, infrastructure and trade, and I'm optimistic as I look ahead to the rest of the year.”

Akin Gump is making changes in 2019 to help its lobbyists stay closer to the action on the Hill. While the firm is moving a few blocks within Washington's DuPont Circle neighborhood, it also plans to utilize satellite space near the Hill on the 700-block of Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

Rounding out the top five earning federal lobby shops in 2017, after Akin Gump and Brownstein, were Squire Patton Boggs, BGR Group and Holland & Knight. Tuesday's fourth quarter 2018 figures showed BGR Group trailing the top two again, but edging ahead of Squire and Holland & Knight.

BGR Group told The National Law Journal it garnered $6.7 million in 2018's fourth quarter, bringing its full revenues for 2018 to $27.1 million, up from $23.6 million from the prior year.

Holland & Knight said it drew $5.87 in 2018's fourth quarter, yielding $24,529,000 for all of 2018. In 2017, Holland & Knight recorded total revenues of $22,375,000.

Squire said it brought in $5,599,500 in the fourth quarter, bringing its full-year haul to $24,274,000 for 2018. Squire recorded slightly less revenue than in 2017, when it brought in $24,330,000.

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