Until recently, adult adopted individuals in Louisiana faced significant hurdles obtaining their original birth certificates. However, since lawmakers approved updates to the state’s vital records law in 2022, more than 1,200 adopted adults have successfully received these documents.
AT A GLANCE
Top executives: Scott Kirkpatrick and Cary Koch, principals
Phone: 225.420.8920
Address: 633 Lakeland Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Website: www.k2advocacy.com
This monumental change was driven by private citizens advocating for reform. Working behind the scenes, Cary Koch and Scott Kirkpatrick played a key role in navigating the legislative and executive process to help make it happen. As part of K2 Advocacy, a Baton Rouge-based lobbying firm, they specialize in helping clients navigate government and find solutions to a wide range of issues. “So much of this is about how people can engage in the governmental process,” says Kirkpatrick, a principal lobbyist with K2 Advocacy. “It can be intimidating and complex, and we serve as guides to help them have a voice.”
“It’s not just about a company coming in and winning a job to do state work,” adds Koch, also a principal with the firm. “It’s about helping individuals and families.”
With a team of four registered lobbyists, K2 Advocacy has worked on a broad range of issues from the birth certificate initiative to Baton Rouge traffic to craft beer sales. “Because we’re a smaller state, we’re involved in almost every policy area in some form or fashion,” Kirkpatrick says.
Being able to adeptly advocate for such a diversity of interests depends on building relationships, especially when working on issues that cross state lines. K2 Advocacy relies on its network of clients, fellow lobbyists and other business contacts. It recently launched a strategic partnership with Mark Cooper, who served as chief of staff for former Gov. John Bel Edwards. “He has national connections that have allowed us to even further our network,” Koch says.
Those national contacts are important, often serving as a source of inspiration. “Louisiana isn’t just competing for jobs or businesses,” Kirkpatrick says. “Louisiana’s competing for ideas.”
“When we see a good policy or a vendor doing something cutting edge, we try to bring that idea to Louisiana,” Koch adds.
Kirkpatrick and Koch were born and raised in Louisiana, and both grew up in the lobbying business. Kirkpatrick’s father specialized in federal matters while Koch’s father has been a state level lobbyist for over four decades and laid the foundation for K2’s current state lobbying efforts. They say they learned a lot about lobbying from their dads—but also inherited their heart for helping the community.
Koch says that at the end of the day, he and his partners want to do their part to ensure a bright future for their home state. “We want our kids and kids’ kids to stay here,” he says.
