The influence of special interests is typically studied under the assumption that the law is a fixed and prescriptive object. Recent literature, however, suggests that the space between written law and its interpretation, law interpretability, is itself malleable and can be shaped by interest groups. Evidence from the United States shows that activities targeting this interpretive space have increased significantly in recent decades. We argue that understanding special interest influence requires studying lobbying directed at lawmakers and influence over law interpretability in tandem. To that end, we develop a political agency model that incorporates both channels and predicts complementarity between them, as well as a vertical offset effect whereby groups use influence over interpretability to constrain future lobbying by competing interests. Using data on political contributions, funding of seminars for judges, and amicus curiae briefs, we find evidence consistent with both predictions.

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