--- # Myths and Realities of Lobbying in Los Angeles Sunday, May 07 WESTSIDE URBAN FORUM Presents # Myths and Realities of Lobbying in Los Angeles ##### Friday, May 19, 2017 ##### [CLICK HERE TO REGISTER](http://www.westsideurbanforum.com/events?e=35581c1e5065b03099c49752650c5164&utm_source=westsideurbanforum&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=lobbyists_20172&n=2 "http://www.westsideurbanforum.com/events?e=35581c1e5065b03099c49752650c5164&utm_source=westsideurbanforum&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=lobbyists_20172&n=2") Los Angeles doesn't have its own version of K Street, where Washington, D.C.'s, industry of power brokers sets up shop. Nonetheless, Los Angeles's city bureaucracy, and those of other local cities, is vast and it too has its corps of consultants and lobbyists who advocate for legislation and assist clients with projects. Among all local lobbying efforts, perhaps none are as numerous, intense, or contentious as those surrounding development. From variances, to general plan amendments, to planning commission hearings, and city council hearings, many developers would be lost without experts to guide them and, indeed, to advocate for them. WUF is pleased to bring together a panel to explain what lobbying is and is not in the Los Angeles area. They will discuss lobbyists' roles and legal limitations, the projects they work on, the influence that lobbyists have, and the limits of that influence. And they will address common refrains about favoritism and the elevation of "special interests" over the common good. **Panelists** **Tanner Blackman,** Partner, Kindel Gagan Public Affairs Advocacy **Aaron Green**, President, The Afriat Consulting Group **Marc Mitchell,** Vice President, Local Government, Cerrell Associates **Jeff Seymour,** Principal, Seymour Consulting Group **Moderator** **Ed Reyes,** Retired Councilmember, Planner **The Olympic Collection** 11301 Olympic Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90064 7:15am Registration 7:30am Breakfast 7:45am Panel Discussion **Registration Fees** $40 members $55 nonmembers $10 student members $15 student nonmembers Pre-registration closes on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. After May 17, 2017 and at onsite registration the cost will be an additional $10.00. No refunds or credits will be provided after this date. \*\*WUF offers a special, discounted rate for individuals involved in land use, planning, and development issues on a grass roots and neighborhood level on an unpaid basis. If you are interested in attending this WUF breakfast with a discounted rate, please send your request to [info@westsideurbanforum.com](mailto:info@westsideurbanforum.com "mailto:info@westsideurbanforum.com") with your contact information and description of your neighborhood level activities prior to May 17, 2017. Certain restrictions apply. **[CLICK HERE TO REGISTER](http://www.westsideurbanforum.com/events?e=35581c1e5065b03099c49752650c5164&utm_source=westsideurbanforum&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=lobbyists_20172&n=3 "http://www.westsideurbanforum.com/events?e=35581c1e5065b03099c49752650c5164&utm_source=westsideurbanforum&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=lobbyists_20172&n=3")** ## Event Information [ ![save up to 4000 on used evs](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad") [ ![Donna Tryfman](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/Donna-Tryfman-Ad-Final-Complete-Border-White-Margin.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1") [ ![LA DWP #2 (Power Savers)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/2026%20LADWP%20PowerSavers%20300x250.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Power Savers)") [ ![David DeJute Campaign](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/DejuteAd.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign") [ ![Pay Water Bill Help](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20-%20cares-ad.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)") [ ![Anna Reitano Vertical R. 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