Rebecca H. Gordon
- Washington, D.C.
Rebecca helps her clients with strategies and recommendations for effective, lawful political participation, so they can maximize the value of their work.
Rebecca H. Gordon counsels corporations, trade associations, lobbying firms, and other entities on the full spectrum of legal issues affecting their ability to interact and work with federal and state governments. These include federal Lobbying Disclosure Act registration and reporting requirements; federal campaign finance law; federal and state laws governing the provision of meals, entertainment, and other items of value to public officials; state and local lobbying law; and federal and state pay-to-play laws.
Rebecca collaborates with clients’ legal and government relations teams, advising them on all aspects of their interactions with candidates and government officials. She helps construct and implement compliance programs tailored to clients’ unique structures and cultures, counsels on campaign finance and congressional ethics matters, and helps organizations interested in creating and operating their own political action committees. Rebecca knows how to prioritize issues for those active in the political process, drawing upon years of experience as counsel to political campaigns, federal officeholders, and party committees.
Rebecca's clients include Fortune 100 corporations, national trade associations, and prominent lobbying firms. She has particular depth advising clients in the technology, healthcare, media and entertainment, and oil and gas sectors.
Rebecca is the co-editor of the fifth edition of The Lobbying Manual, an ABA publication that offers a complete guide to federal lobbying law and practice, and is currently working with her co-editors on the sixth edition.
Areas of focus
Industries
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with honors, Managing Editor, International Law Review, 2000-2001, 2001
- College of William & Mary, B.A., Economics, Government, 1997
Bar and Court Admissions
-
District of Columbia
Professional Recognition
Ranked by Chambers USA as "America's Leading Lawyer" in Government: Political Law, 2013-2024
Named by Washingtonian Magazine as a "Top Lawyer" for campaign and election law
Listed in Washington D.C. Super Lawyers as a "Rising Star," 2015
Impact
Professional Leadership
- American Bar Association
2017 Lobbying Institute, Program Co-Chair for half-day conference
Task Force on Federal Lobbying Laws, Co-Chair
Legislative Process and Lobbying Committee of Administrative Law Section, Chair, 2007-2009
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Corporate Political Activity Regulatory Compliance
Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) Counsel
Counsels and guides lobbyists and corporate clients operating in the fields of technology, social media, oil and gas, transportation, healthcare, sports and other industries on compliance with the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act.
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Guides corporations in establishing and operating political action committees to promote and protect their interests. Rebecca’s comprehensive counsel includes helping clients raise funds for PACs and steer their PACs’ compliance with state and federal registration and reporting requirements.
LDA Compliance Systems
Advises corporate clients on building compliant lobbying disclosure systems, which often includes performing audits of internal LDA compliance systems.
Revolving Door Hiring
Offers targeted counsel to companies and lobbying firms on restrictions for hiring people newly exited from government service.
State Campaign Finance
Advises corporate clients on compliance with the multitude and varying state and local laws governing campaign finance, including pay-to-play laws that impact those who seek government business.
Political Advertising
Provides multiplatform compliance counsel to corporations, including traditional and digital media companies, on best practices for the ad sales and broadcast process, when services involve candidates or elected officials.
Political Activity Handbook
Trains and assists lobbyists and companies on drafting and creating manuals detailing compliant policies and practices. As part of the process, Rebecca frequently audits existing procedures and offers recommendations for improvement and risk reduction.
Political Law
Facebook, FEC Advisory Opinion 2011-09
Sought advisory opinion regarding disclaimers on digital advertisements.
TechNet, FEC Advisory Opinion 2009-30
Obtained advisory opinions regarding corporate payments for outside fundraising consultants.
Obama for America
Served as deputy general counsel from 2007-2008.
Obama For America, FEC Advisory Opinion 2010-27
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding corporate payments for outside fundraising consultants.
Democratic National Committee
Deputy General Counsel.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
General Counsel to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Kerry-Edwards 2004
Counsel to 2004 presidential nominee.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, FEC Advisory Opinion 2009-22
Obtained advisory opinion regarding bundling reporting.
Senator Barack Obama, Federal Election Commission (FEC) Advisory Opinion 2007-03
Sought advisory opinion on solicitation and receipt of funds for general election while retaining eligibility for public funds if nominated.
Emily's List, FEC Matter Under Review 5743
Represented client in successful dismissal of FEC complaint alleging unlawful coordination with candidate.