Legal Definitions - lobby

Definition: Lobbying is the act of trying to influence a decision-maker, such as a legislator or judge, to support or oppose a particular measure or issue. This can be done by talking to them directly, often in a fancy setting, or by working behind the scenes to sway their opinion.

• A group of environmental activists lobbied their state representatives to pass a bill banning single-use plastics.
• A company hired a lobbyist to try to convince lawmakers to pass a tax break for their industry.
• A lawyer lobbied a judge to rule in favor of their client in a court case.

These examples illustrate how lobbying can be used to influence decisions at various levels of government and in different contexts. Lobbying can be done by individuals, organizations, or companies, and can involve a range of tactics, from direct conversations to behind-the-scenes maneuvering.