About IGA
The Institute of Governmental Advocates (IGA) is a voluntary, non-partisan association representing the leading professional lobbyists and lobbying firms in California’s Capitol.
Our primary mission is to protect and defend the First Amendment rights of lobbyists to advocate on behalf of their clients in California’s Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and the agencies, boards, and commissions of the Executive Branch of state government.
IGA members subscribe to a voluntary code of conduct and professional ethics that go beyond what is required under the Fair Political Practices Act. IGA also works to instill core values of integrity, honesty, and professionalism among the members of the “Third House” and pass along those values to the next generation of lobbyists.
One of the hallmarks of the association is the “Speaker Series” breakfasts, featuring keynote speakers from the Governor’s Office, the Senate and Assembly Leadership, Committee Chairs and others. The past few years of Meetings have featured several prominent speakers including the Speaker of the Assembly, Robert Rivas, previous Senate pro Tempore, Toni Atkins, Assemblymember Lori Wilson, previous Director of the CA Department of Finance, Keely Bosler, Former Legislative Affairs Secretary to Governor Newsom, Angie Wie, California Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley Weber, former Senator Robert Hertzberg, former Assemblymember Ken Cooley, Assemblymember Heath Flora, former Senator Josh Newman, Congress Member, Adam Gray, Assemblymember Diane Papan, Senator Catherine Blakespear and many more. Breakfasts are open to IGA members only, or guests accompanied by an IGA member.
We sponsor educational seminars and conferences designed to keep our members current on cutting-edge trends in California politics and public policy.
Membership provides opportunities to network and socialize with other lobbyist professionals.
IGA members include both in-house and contract lobbyists representing a broad spectrum of businesses, trade associations, labor organizations, and local governments.
How we began
Founding members joined together in 1974 to promote professionalism through adoption of a Code of Professional Conduct and to protect their constitutional rights of free speech, association, and petition.
Legal activities
IGA has its own legal counsel who has the resources of a major law firm available to safeguard common interests of IGA members and their employers/clients. IGA works with the Fair Political Practices Commission so IGA members are well informed regarding pending issues and changes in law and regulations. IGA makes appearances as amicus curiae in cases where interests of its members and employers/clients will be affected.