Corporate Political Activity
Counseling organizations on laws affecting political engagement.
Navigating the laws and regulations that govern political engagement is complex. Clients need guidance through the ever-changing legal and regulatory environment so they can strategically plan and execute political initiatives.
Perkins Coie has been at the forefront of political law for decades, guiding clients like Fortune 100 companies, tech leaders, and lobbying firms through the maze of regulations that govern political activities. Whether you're a corporation, a nonprofit, or an individual, we're here to help you understand these laws and regulations and make informed decisions regarding political engagement. Leaders across industries—from global corporations to innovative startups—trust us to help them navigate the intricacies of political regulations and to strategize effectively within this landscape.
Understanding your options and the associated risks and opportunities in political participation is crucial. We help you build robust internal processes that withstand scrutiny, anticipate changes in the political and legal landscape, and align your strategies with your business objectives.
How we help clients
- Advising companies on the ways they may participate lawfully in the political process
- Assisting in due diligence reviews with respect to corporate political and lobbying activity
- Advising on federal campaign finance law and regulation, including forming and administering political action committees (PACs)
- Advising corporations with global reach on how to organize their activities to comply with federal, state, and local campaign finance requirements
- Helping emerging companies understand the legal implications of new technologies in the political arena as they develop new products and services
- Counseling on lobbying disclosure and governmental ethics statutes at the federal, state, and local levels
- Advising on compliance with Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)
- Designing and implementing internal compliance and training programs to ensure compliance with campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics laws and rules
- Reviewing political contributions, gifts, and events for compliance with federal, state, and local law
- Conducting internal reviews of corporate political activities and compliance processes
- Advising clients called to testify before Congress
- Advising tax-exempt organizations on compliance with rules governing section 501(c) and section 527 organizations
- Litigating matters relating to political activity and expression in federal and state courts
- Providing representation in public corruption, ethics, and campaign finance investigations
- Defending enforcement actions brought by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and its state and local counterparts
- Providing representation before other administrative agencies such as the FEC and the IRS
Areas of Focus
Compliance Advice Regarding Global Engagement and FARA
We have seen a steady increase in FARA enforcement over the last several years, making compliance crucial for those who work with global clients, whether through lobbying, public relations, or general government interactions. We guide you through the activities that may trigger FARA registration, when exemptions may apply, and how to register as a foreign agent and report when required. Should controversy arise, our team can help respond.
Campaign Finance Experience
Navigating the intricate web of campaign finance laws is challenging. We simplify federal, state, and local regulations for you, ensuring your political contributions and expenditures are fully compliant. Our team offers guidance on everything from contribution limits, pay-to-play laws, and limits on foreign national spending in elections to the nuances covering PACs and other groups, ensuring clarity and compliance every step of the way.
Lobbying Compliance
Our extensive experience in lobbying and ethics compliance helps ensure that your activities meet all legal requirements at the federal, state, and local levels. From preparing and filing lobbying registrations and disclosure reports to crafting effective compliance programs, we are well versed in the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) and work with clients to manage the complete process. We also help clients build successful PACs for fundraising and ensure they operate smoothly. One of our lawyers co-edited the last two editions of The Lobbying Manual, published by the American Bar Association, and many of our lawyers contributed chapters to those volumes.
Support for Nonprofits and Tax-Exempt Organizations
We are highly skilled in advising nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations on the intersection of tax, campaign finance, and lobbying regulations. We help tax-exempt entities organize efficiently to achieve policy or political objectives, and help establish and advise 527 organizations.
Our Team
Notice
Before proceeding, please note: If you are not a current client of Perkins Coie, please do not include any information in this e-mail that you or someone else considers to be of a confidential or secret nature. Perkins Coie has no duty to keep confidential any of the information you provide. Neither the transmission nor receipt of your information is considered a request for legal advice, securing or retaining a lawyer. An attorney-client relationship with Perkins Coie or any lawyer at Perkins Coie is not established until and unless Perkins Coie agrees to such a relationship as memorialized in a separate writing.
Notice
Before proceeding, please note: If you are not a current client of Perkins Coie, please do not include any information in this e-mail that you or someone else considers to be of a confidential or secret nature. Perkins Coie has no duty to keep confidential any of the information you provide. Neither the transmission nor receipt of your information is considered a request for legal advice, securing or retaining a lawyer. An attorney-client relationship with Perkins Coie or any lawyer at Perkins Coie is not established until and unless Perkins Coie agrees to such a relationship as memorialized in a separate writing.
