Growth Spurt for Patton Boggs? Lobbying Giants Could Join Hands

K Street may not be big enough to hold them. Patton Boggs LLP, Washington's largest lobbying firm, is talking about getting even larger.

Patton Boggs, which made nearly $40 million in the lobbying game last year, is negotiating to purchase another powerful outfit, the Breaux-Lott Leadership Group, named for two well-connected former senators, the Washington Post reports.

Both firms are known for having good relations with Democrats and Republicans alike on Capitol Hill. Tommy Boggs of Patton Boggs, is the son of the late Hale Boggs, an influential Democratic lawmaker from Louisiana in his day. Democrat John Breaux represented Louisiana in the Senate, retiring in 2004. And Trent Lott, a Mississippi Republican, served as Senate majority leader and minority leader.

The bipartisan Breaux-Lott partnership, formed in 2008, enjoyed almost instant success.

The lobbying giants have been in a strategic relationship for the past two years, the Post said, but neither company would comment on a possible merger. Sources said they are close to a deal.