Margaret Gladstein

As a partner of Capitol Advocacy, Margaret brings over 25 years of political and public policy experience, providing clients with unique expertise and extensive success both advocating for legislation and blocking or amending harmful measures.

Margaret is recognized as one of Sacramento’s premier lobbyists on privacy and data security issues for clients in the retail, technology, financial services, and other industries. In addition, she handles a wide array of other policy areas. Her ability to advocate effectively for businesses has led to many victories, including stopping attempts to legislate price-fixing and protecting her clients’ ability to collect and use proprietary information about their customers.

Prior to joining Capitol Advocacy, Margaret served as the chief consultant of the California State Assembly Banking and Finance Committee, where she developed and analyzed legislation related to financial services, privacy, data security, and corporate governance. She was also previously vice president at The Money Store, formerly the nation’s largest direct home equity lender.

Her deep understanding of issues from both the public and private sector give her a unique perspective which helps her clients navigate the California State Legislature, the Administration, and the regulatory arena. Margaret has been instrumental in negotiating on behalf of clients with a direct impact on California’s green economy, including California’s Net Energy Metering policy and Zero Emission Vehicle program. She understands the complex dynamics between California’s environmental justice, labor and business communities, and effectively negotiates with all of these groups to achieve positive outcomes on behalf of her clients. Margaret’s breadth of experience in a variety of policy issues spans over decades and she has longstanding professional relationships with key stakeholders in the Legislature.

Along with her extensive policy background, Margaret also strategically advises clients on how to navigate California’s ever-changing political landscape. For more than a decade, Margaret served as a campaign consultant for statewide initiatives and legislative candidates throughout the West. During this time Margaret was recognized as a “Rising Star” and won several Pollie Awards from the American Association of Political Consultants for her work on campaigns.

A native of McAlester, Okla., Margaret graduated with honors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Sacramento with her husband Tim and daughter Michelle.