Klein/Johnson Group Welcomes Casey Higgins as Principal
Veteran Sports and Entertainment Lobbyist Joins Firm, Brings Blue Chip Clients and a Proven Record of Bipartisan Legislative Victories
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Klein/Johnson Group today announced that Casey Higgins has joined the firm as a principal. A nationally recognized federal lobbyist and attorney, Higgins brings a distinguished record of legislative achievements to the bipartisan, boutique government relations firm.
“Casey is a true bipartisan strategist with genuine relationships on both sides of the aisle. Her results speak for themselves. Bringing her on board marks a major step forward for the firm and for the clients we serve,” said co-founder Matt Johnson.
“Klein/Johnson is built around the bipartisan, results-driven advocacy that has defined my career,” said Casey Higgins. “I've spent years working at the intersection of sports, entertainment, tech, and federal policy to deliver meaningful results for my clients. I'm proud to join a team that shares my values and my commitment to excellence, and I look forward to what we'll accomplish together."
Higgins is a renowned advocate for sports, music, and entertainment clients. She was named a National Journal “Sports, Gaming, & Entertainment Trailblazer” in 2021 and recognized as one of Billboard’s “Top Music Lawyers” in 2020, 2021, and 2025. Throughout her career, Higgins has built a reputation for translating client priorities into durable policy outcomes by forging coalitions across party lines and chambers of Congress.
“Casey is an all-star, five-tool player with a record of meaningful wins for her clients across some of the most competitive policy arenas in Washington,” added co-founder Izzy Klein. “We are lucky to have her join our team, and excited about the expertise she will bring to Klein/Johnson and our clients.”
Higgins currently leads the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) federal government relations strategy, managing the conference’s engagements on Capitol Hill and with the White House on college athletics issues.
“Since 2020, Casey Higgins has been a trusted and highly effective leader in the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) government relations efforts,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “We are grateful for Casey’s continued partnership and pleased to continue our work together as she joins Klein/Johnson Group. Through our bipartisan engagement with Klein/Johnson Group, we will continue advancing initiatives that support student-athletes, serve college sports fans, and strengthen the long-term future of college athletics.”
Among her signature achievements, Higgins played a central role in advancing the Save Our Stages Act, which delivered a record $16 billion federal investment in the arts, providing emergency relief to independent live music venues and entertainment businesses shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also helped secure passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in 2020, establishing national standards for thoroughbred racing, and supported the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2023. Her work also includes advocacy for children’s protection and vulnerable communities, partnering with mission-driven organizations to advance policy solutions.
“We are so grateful for the way Casey Higgins fights for kids, for her heart, and how she champions their protection,” said Tim Tebow, Chairman of the Tim Tebow Foundation. “We look forward to partnering with the whole Klein/Johnson team to continue the fight to protect as many boys and girls as possible.”
Before entering private practice, Higgins served as a senior policy aide to former House Speaker Paul Ryan (WI-01) and as trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee. She remains a Fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center and serves on the board of the American Idea Foundation.
“Casey Higgins is passionate and principled,” said former House Speaker Paul Ryan. “Her knowledge of the legislative process is exceeded only by the quality of her character. Casey fights for her clients and the causes she believes in, and her track record of delivering wins speaks for itself. Casey was an incredible asset when I was Speaker and is a forceful advocate when it comes to Capitol Hill, the Administration, and the broader policy ecosystem.”
Higgins earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her J.D. from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. She is a native of Appleton, Wisconsin, and lives in Neenah with her husband and two children.
About Klein/Johnson Group
The Klein/Johnson Group is a bipartisan lobbying and public policy firm located in Washington, DC. Co-founders Matt Johnson and Israel “Izzy” Klein are leading strategists and respected advocates on behalf of a wide range of clients on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, across official Washington, and beyond. The Klein/Johnson Group consists of 10 principals, equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, with nearly a century of combined government and political experience. They are high-impact, versatile, trusted advisers who construct bipartisan game plans for any public policy challenge and achieve results.
The current times are turbulent—constant breaking news, frenzied legislative action, fast-moving regulatory activity, and unprecedented political uncertainty. The Klein/Johnson Group maintains a level-headed disposition and offers clear-eyed, creative, and comprehensive strategies. The firm helps organizations and their leaders tune out the noise and focus on what’s truly important to their bottom lines.