Women leaders who shatter glass ceilings exemplify resilience and determination, paving the way for future generations and inspiring societal progress. One such exemplary woman is Marla Grossman, a Partner at ACG Advocacy.
Recognized Leader, Trusted Advocate
Marla’s career has been a blend of law, policy, and strategic advocacy. After graduating from Yale University and earning her law degree from Harvard Law School, she gained considerable experience as a government relations attorney at Verner, Liipfert, where she worked alongside political figures like former Senate Majority Leaders George Mitchell and Bob Dole. Marla then served as counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, focusing on intellectual property, technology, and constitutional issues, which sharpened her ability to navigate complex policy matters. Returning to Verner, Liipfert, she became a Partner and led the Internet Ventures Group, working at the crossroads of law, policy, and emerging technologies.
Currently, as a Partner at ACG Advocacy, Marla helps clients craft strategic public policy initiatives and engage with key federal players, including the White House, Federal agencies, and Congress. Throughout her career, the versatile leader has been recognized as one of Washington, DC’s ‘Most Influential Business Women’ and has earned accolades such as being called an “industry insider,” a “mover and shaker,” and a “leading lobbyist.” She has also been repeatedly selected as a Washington, DC Super Lawyer and has received honors like ‘The Influencer’ by I AM Modern Magazine and ‘Top Lobbyist’ distinctions. These achievements reflect her commitment to making a significant impact in the ever-evolving fields of law, business, and public policy.
How ACG and Marla Drive Results for Clients
ACG Advocacy, based in Washington, D.C., is a prominent bipartisan government affairs and strategic consulting firm, providing services since 1994 to Fortune Global 500 companies, states, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations. The firm specializes in delivering sophisticated legislative and regulatory solutions, leveraging strong relationships across all federal government levels. Its focus on clarity, precision, and dedication drives meaningful results for clients.
Marla represents clients from various industries, including creators like authors, publishers, musicians, and producers. She strives to protect their intellectual property and helps them navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving policy landscape. This past year, Marla focused on safeguarding creators’ rights in the context of artificial intelligence and combating global piracy of creative works through impactful legislative and regulatory solutions.
One key achievement was Marla’s work in helping persuade congressional leaders to reject a tech mandate that would have denied creators their due royalties. She collaborated with clients and renowned artists such as David Byrne, Randy Travis, MC Lyte, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, and Melle Mel to bring their voices to Capitol Hill. For clients in the education sector, she engaged in successful efforts to convince the U.S. Department of Education to reconsider a proposed cash management rule that could have increased costs for students and disproportionately impacted underserved communities.
For technology clients, Marla worked on efforts to realign the mission of the International Trade Commission (ITC) to protect American innovators from unfair global competition and exploitative litigation, ensuring the competitiveness of U.S. industries. She is also deeply involved in antitrust and competition policy, advocating for balanced regulatory approaches that foster innovation while protecting consumers from monopolistic practices.
The Leadership Triad: Strategy, Communication, and Integrity
Marla defines her leadership philosophy as a balance of strategic insight, clear communication, and steadfast integrity. For her, strategic thinking is crucial in anticipating challenges and steering decisions toward long-term objectives. She prioritizes long-term, sustainable solutions over short-term fixes, focusing on outcomes that endure.
Clear communication with both clients and policymakers is foundational to Marla’s success in advocacy, and bridging the gap between the two groups is essential for advancing policy goals. With clients, Marla fosters an open dialogue to ensure that their objectives and concerns are fully understood, allowing her to craft strategies that align with their needs while navigating the complexities of the policy landscape. When engaging with policymakers, her ability to distill complex legal and policy issues into accessible, persuasive arguments helps build consensus and drive action. By tailoring her message to each audience—whether explaining intricate policy details to a legislator or offering strategic guidance to a client—Marla ensures that all parties are aligned and working toward the same goals, a key element in successful advocacy.
As a visionary and trailblazing leader, Marla places the utmost importance on leading with integrity, ensuring that her recommendations are both ethically sound and legally compliant. This unwavering commitment has earned her recognition as a “Top Lobbyist” by the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics for three consecutive years. Her adaptability, passion for mentoring, and dedication to lifelong learning have also been integral to her success in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of her field.
Advancing Gender Equity in Lobbying and Beyond
When Marla began her career as a lobbyist, she was often the only woman in the room, which was both challenging and motivating. Over time, she has witnessed significant strides in gender representation in lobbying and federal affairs, with more women taking on leadership roles and influencing policy.
However, she believes there’s still progress to be made, especially in the makeup of Congress and the goal of electing a female President. To achieve true equity, Marla emphasizes the importance of mentoring and sponsoring women in politics and fostering a culture that values diverse perspectives in decision-making.
Building Bridges to the Future
Marla envisions expanding and enhancing her practice at ACG Advocacy by building a dynamic, forward-thinking team. A key part of this
vision is working alongside talented younger colleagues like Luke Lynch, a policy expert specializing in artificial intelligence. Luke’s innovative approach has been crucial in addressing the evolving challenges of AI regulation, showcasing the type of talent Marla aims to nurture.
Marla’s goal is to create an environment where emerging stars, like Luke, can thrive by bringing fresh perspectives and specialized knowledge in areas such as AI, competition, education, intellectual property, technology, and trade. By harnessing the collective strengths of the team, Marla aims to deliver innovative solutions and shape policies that address future challenges.
Through mentoring and collaboration with next generation leaders, Marla is committed to keeping the practice at the forefront of complex legislative and regulatory issues, ensuring ACG Advocacy remains a leader in public policy and strategic consulting while driving societal progress.
A Model for Public Policy Advocates
When asked who she sees as a role model for public policy advocacy, Marla points to Eleanor Roosevelt, who she views as a pioneering champion of social reform and diplomacy. Marla explains that as the First Lady of the United States, Roosevelt redefined the role by actively participating in policy discussions and contributing to the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a United Nations delegate. Marla sees Roosevelt’s unwavering advocacy, driven by persistence and moral clarity, as an inspiration to those in government affairs.
Marla: The DC Powerbroker
In the fast-paced world of policy and advocacy, Marla has excelled in the art of balancing legal expertise, strategic thinking, and effective communication. She aligns policy objectives with strategic goals, ensuring that every advocacy effort is built on a foundation of thorough research and sound positions. By maintaining clarity in her communication with both clients and policymakers, Marla ensures that all stakeholders are united in purpose, driving impactful outcomes. Her unique ability to navigate the complexities of Washington, D.C.’s political landscape, while staying firmly grounded in her commitment to integrity, has solidified her as a trusted powerbroker and a force in shaping policy.
