We assist clients in understanding and adhering to the complex web of federal, state, and local regulations that oversee political contributions, expenditures, and disclosure mandates. Our attorneys are well-versed in the intricacies of campaign finance laws, including the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), and the rules and guidelines set forth by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and state campaign finance bodies. We offer advice on adhering to contribution limits for both individuals and organizations and guide clients in organizing their political donations to comply with legal standards. Our experience also extends to the nuanced regulations governing PACs and other political groups, covering aspects from their creation and management to compliance with reporting obligations. We work closely with clients’ compliance and government relations professionals, making sure we understand their objectives and that we convey clear, practical, and actionable advice.

Companies with active government relations and government-facing sales teams rely on us to design their lobbying and ethics compliance programs. We have years of experience assisting clients with lobbying disclosure and governmental ethics rules at the federal, state, and local levels, and we are well-versed on the LDA’s stringent lobbying laws and related disclosure standards. We manage the preparation, submission, and maintenance of lobbying registrations and periodic disclosure reports for companies, lobbyists and lobbying firms, nonprofit entities, trade and advocacy groups, and other organizations. We also help clients build successful PACs for fundraising and ensure they operate smoothly. We not only work with the full spectrum of lobbying compliance regulations; one of our attorneys co-edited the recent edition of The Lobbying Manual, published by the American Bar Association, and many of our attorneys and compliance specialists contributed to the manual as well. 

FARA’s broad, sweeping scope, and increased enforcement makes compliance crucial for those who work with global clients, whether through lobbying, public relations, or simply interacting with government agencies. We help clients understand when their activities might trigger FARA registration, when exemptions might apply, and how to register and report when registration is required. Should controversy arise, our regulatory experts and white-collar attorneys can help respond.  

Counseling at the intersection of tax, campaign finance, and lobbying, we advise tax-exempt organizations, including trade associations, charities and foundations, social welfare groups, and political organizations, through the complex regulations governing political activity. We help tax-exempt entities organize efficiently to achieve policy or political objectives and comply with both tax and campaign finance laws and regulations, as well as the wide range of other laws affecting their activities. Our guidance to clients also includes navigating the sometimes treacherous rules surrounding lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics issues. We have also helped establish and advise 527 organizations. 

Our counsel includes the overlap between federal procurements/grants and political law issues and is informed by the knowledge of our government contracts lawyers. Specifically, we advise clients on compliance with gift-giving rules, contingent fee restrictions, and appropriate uses of federal funds received under grants and federal procurement contracts. We have also helped clients navigate agency-specific rules in these particular areas. 

Representing investment firms and their principals, we advise on the implications of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) rules imposing industry-specific “pay to play” restrictions. This includes addressing the legality of specific proposed political contributions and, in the event of an inadvertent contribution that exceeds the threshold, negotiating the mission-critical SEC exemptive application process.