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From the lobbyist attempting to influence public policy, to the candidate seeking re-election, to the business planning a charitable event for a politician, to the individual making a campaign contribution and beyond, those involved in politics – even on the smallest scale – must comply with a variety of laws and regulations. Whether you are involved in politics on a local, state, or federal level, Dickinson Wright’s bipartisan political law team provides strategic counsel to help you overcome challenges and maximize opportunities involving finance, ethics, and government regulations.
Awards and Recognitions
Our political law team members are ranked by Chambers®, Super Lawyers®, Best Lawyers® and other leading evaluating organizations. They have served as elected officials, assisted with high-profile election campaigns, and are frequently recognized in top political publications, including Politico, Washingtonian Magazine, and The Hill, for their sophisticated approach to solving ethics and election law challenges.
Our Services
We offer a full spectrum of services to corporations and business organizations, trade associations, tax-exempt organizations, political candidates, campaigns, public officials, political parties, committees, and other contributors. We frequently counsel clients regarding compliance to federal, state, and local laws, ensuring they remain aware of any new and proposed legislation. We also assist clients with internal and external investigations, provide representation during an enforcement action or audit, draft and implement internal policies and employment contracts, and litigate disputes when necessary.
Our team advises clients on all aspects of political law, including:
Campaign Finance Law: Federal law limits who can contribute to a campaign, how much they can contribute, and how that contribution is spent. Rules vary based on contributor status – business or individual – and can be difficult to navigate. We assist our clients with handling campaign contributions, establishing and maintaining political action committees (PACs), preparing and reviewing state and Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, as well as implementing risk avoidance strategies to avoid violating the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and other related state and local laws.
Lobbying Disclosure: The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) has specific guidelines for lobbyists and their employers that, if left unheeded, can result in hefty fines as well as jail time. In 2007, the amended version of the LDA, The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA), increased penalties for violations. Those regularly interacting with the government on local, state, and federal levels are frequently required to register lobbyists and must report lobbying expenses to the IRS. Our lawyers counsel clients on the application of these laws, making the complex simple so they are able to focus on their lobbying efforts.
Government Ethics: Whether using campaign contributions to fund a trip, seeking advice from a former political rival, or accepting an invitation to speak at an informal dinner, a plethora of laws and regulations control how government employees interact with corporations and individuals alike. Our team counsels clients regarding outside activity restrictions, conflict of interest laws, gift and travel rules, and fundraising regulations.
