The Southern Group
The Southern Group is a privately held lobbying and government relations firm founded in 1999 in Tallahassee, Florida, with 14 offices across the Southeast US and Washington DC. It provides federal, state, and local advocacy, policy monitoring, and access services to corporate entities, trade associations, local governments, and nonprofit organizations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersTallahassee, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Southern Group does
The Southern Group is a privately held lobbying and government relations firm founded in 1999 by Paul Bradshaw, headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida, and operating as an independent founder-led entity with no parent company, private equity backing, or disclosed outside investors. The firm provides advocacy, policy monitoring, and access services across federal (via its TSG Advocates arm), state, and local levels of government, with operations spanning 14 offices across Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Washington DC. It serves four primary client categories: corporate entities, trade associations, local governments, and nonprofit organizations, with engagement scope spanning appropriations, regulatory modification, legislation, and economic development initiatives.
The firm's core service portfolio comprises five offerings: Federal Lobbying and Appropriations (via TSG Advocates), State Lobbying and Appropriations, Local Lobbying and Appropriations, Policy Monitoring and Analysis, and Access and Relationship Building. The underlying deliverable is not technology but human relationships and political intelligence, supported by an integrated team of former regulators, gubernatorial staff, congressional aides, and agency leaders. Distribution is direct enterprise-style field sales executed through locally embedded lobbyists, with no intermediary channel partners; engagements are quote-based, scope-driven, and typically structured as multi-year retainers. Revenue mechanics are professional services fees, and the firm led Florida in lobbying compensation in Q1 2026 with $12.4M filed.
Growth is being executed primarily through geographic buildout and federal arm scaling rather than productization. Notable 2026 moves include the launch of a Charlotte, NC office in January 2026 under former Charlotte City Council members Tariq Bokhari and Larken Egleston, the expansion of TSG Advocates with a team of six healthcare lobbyists hired from Polsinelli plus additional bipartisan hires in March 2026, and continued lateral partner additions across Orlando, Broward, Florida Keys, and DC. The firm maintains affiliated offices under separate brands in Louisiana (State Strategic Group), Michigan (Midwest Strategy Group), and advisory affiliates (TSG Advisors, VisionFirst Advisors), extending its reach beyond the 14 directly branded offices.
The Southern Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Southern Group
- Legal name
- The Southern Group
- Website
- https://thesoutherngroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Southern Group is a privately held lobbying and government relations firm founded in 1999 in Tallahassee, Florida, with 14 offices across the Southeast US and Washington DC. It provides federal, state, and local advocacy, policy monitoring, and access services to corporate entities, trade associations, local governments, and nonprofit organizations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Southern Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Relations and Lobbying Services
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Affairs, Government Relations & Lobbying (BPAFADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Public Affairs & Government Relations (MPAAADAE)
Keywords
Where The Southern Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tallahassee
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices14 records
Markets served
The Southern Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Lobbying and Government Relations Services: The Southern Group generates revenue through professional lobbying and government relations consulting services. The firm operates on a retainer and fee-for-service model, serving corporate entities, trade associations, local governments, and non-profits. Q1 2026 revenue reported at $12.4 million, making it the top-ranked lobbying firm in Florida.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom engagement based on client needs and scope of services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
The Southern Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Southern Group is a professional lobbying and government relations firm that provides federal, state, and local lobbying and appropriations services, policy monitoring and analysis, and access/relationship building with policymakers. The firm serves corporate entities, trade associations, local governments, and nonprofits across more than 24 industry verticals, leveraging a network of 14 offices across the Southeast U.S. and Washington, D.C. Its federal lobbying arm, TSG Advocates, focuses on influencing policy and securing appropriations at the White House, Congress, and Executive branch levels.
Product overview
The Southern Group is an influence firm offering a unified platform of government relations and lobbying services rather than a software product. Its core service portfolio consists of Federal Lobbying & Appropriations (via TSG Advocates), State Lobbying & Appropriations, Local Lobbying & Appropriations, Policy Monitoring & Analysis, and Access & Relationship Building. These services are designed to work together as a comprehensive advocacy solution, with the firm's multi-state office network providing clients with unparalleled access to decision-makers across local, state, and federal government levels. The firm serves clients across diverse industries including agriculture, healthcare, technology, transportation, and real estate development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Federal Lobbying and Appropriations
Quantifiable outcome
- The Southern Group ranked #1 among Florida lobbying firms in Q1 2026 with $12.4M revenue
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Southern Group
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Southern Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Southern Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- State Strategic Group Louisiana (SSG)minorAffiliated office providing lobbying services in Louisiana. Listed as one of The Southern Group's affiliated companies operating under a separate brand.
- Midwest Strategy GroupminorAffiliated office providing government relations services in Michigan. Listed as one of The Southern Group's affiliated companies.
- TSG AdvisorsminorAffiliated advisory services company operating as part of the TSG network of companies.
- VisionFirst AdvisorsminorAffiliated advisory firm within the TSG network, providing additional consulting services.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Southern Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cornerstone Government Affairs: Independent federal and state lobbying firm with bipartisan practices, competing directly with TSG's TSG Advocates federal arm for healthcare, defense, and appropriations work in Washington, D.C.
- Ballard Partners: Florida-headquartered lobbying and government relations firm with offices across the U.S., directly competing with The Southern Group for Florida corporate, association, and municipal clients. Recorded $10M in Florida lobbying compensation in Q1 2026, immediately behind TSG.
- Corcoran Partners: Tallahassee-based lobbying and government relations firm focused on Florida legislative and executive branch advocacy, with overlapping client base of corporate, association, and municipal clients in the Florida market.
- Capital City Consulting: Florida-focused government consulting and lobbying firm headquartered in Tallahassee, competing head-to-head with TSG for state-level advocacy, appropriations, and association clients.
- GrayRobinson: Florida-based law and lobbying firm with a substantial government affairs and lobbying practice serving corporate, association, and governmental clients statewide — directly competing with TSG in Tallahassee and across Florida.
- Southern Strategies (regional group of competing firms): Multi-state government relations network operating across the Southeast, offering state-level lobbying and consulting services to corporate and association clients — directly competing with TSG's regional model.
Broad incumbents
- Squire Patton Boggs: Global law and public policy firm with extensive federal lobbying and state government affairs practices. Competes with TSG for federal mandates and multi-state association clients across healthcare, financial services, and infrastructure.
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Major international law firm with one of the largest federal lobbying and government relations practices on K Street, serving Fortune 500 clients across healthcare, energy, finance, and tech. Competes with TSG for federal engagements and on large cross-jurisdictional mandates.
- Holland & Knight: Major U.S. law firm with a sizable government advocacy and federal lobbying practice serving corporate and association clients, overlapping with TSG's federal and Florida practices.
- Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck: National law and lobbying firm with deep federal lobbying, regulatory, and policy practices serving corporate, association, and government clients. Overlaps with TSG on federal appropriations and policy monitoring engagements.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Southern Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Southern Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Southern Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The Southern Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Southern Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Southern Group
What does The Southern Group do?
The Southern Group is a professional lobbying and government relations firm that provides federal, state, and local lobbying and appropriations services, policy monitoring and analysis, and access/relationship building with policymakers. The firm serves corporate entities, trade associations, local governments, and nonprofits across more than 24 industry verticals, leveraging a network of 14 offices across the Southeast U.S. and Washington, D.C. Its federal lobbying arm, TSG Advocates, focuses on influencing policy and securing appropriations at the White House, Congress, and Executive branch levels.
Is The Southern Group a public or private company?
The Southern Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Southern Group founded?
The Southern Group was founded in 1999. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Southern Group based?
The Southern Group is headquartered in Tallahassee, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Southern Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: lobbying and Government Relations Services.
Who are The Southern Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cornerstone Government Affairs, Ballard Partners, Corcoran Partners, Capital City Consulting, GrayRobinson and Southern Strategies (regional group of competing firms). Broad incumbents are Squire Patton Boggs, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Holland & Knight and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.
Does The Southern Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Southern Group.
What industry is The Southern Group in?
The Southern Group's product category is Government Relations and Lobbying Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFADAB, Public Affairs, Government Relations & Lobbying, with a secondary code of MPAAADAE, Public Affairs & Government Relations. Its NAICS code is 8133 and its SIC code is 8742.