Election Law & Government Ethics

Overview

Wiley Rein has the premier Election Law & Government Ethics Practice in the country, recognized by Chambers USA as “the gold standard in this business.” Led by former Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chairman Michael E. Toner, the Group regularly provides sophisticated counsel on all aspects of political law, including federal, state, and local regulation of campaign finance, lobbying, and government ethics. We represent clients across all 50 states and the District of Columbia as well as internationally, including:

• Corporations and business organizations
• Trade associations
• 501(c) advocacy organizations
• Candidates, campaigns, and public officials
• 527 leadership PACs and super PACs
• Political parties
• Politically active contributors

The scope of our counseling ranges from providing answers to broad-ranging novel and discrete questions to implementing comprehensive compliance programs and conducting meticulous compliance audits. We regularly advise clients on the laws and rules that regulate political activity pertaining to:

• The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), as amended by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)
• The Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), as amended by the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA)
• Ethics rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate, and Office of Government Ethics
• Federal pay-to-play rules, including U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 275.206(4)-5 and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) Rule G-37
• State and local campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics laws and rules
• Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)
• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
• Internal Revenue Code provisions applicable to political law

Our political law and First Amendment litigation and advocacy experience includes challenges to laws, client defense, and amicus briefs. We represent clients before the Supreme Court of the United States and federal and state courts, as well as federal agencies and boards, such as the FEC, the House and Senate Ethics Committees, the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), and state agencies.

We serve numerous industries, including, among others:

• Banking
• Communications
• Consulting
• Defense
• Energy
• Financial Services
• Food/Food Services/Restaurants
• Government Contractors
• Health/Medical/Pharmaceuticals
• Insurance
• Legal/Law Firms
• Manufacturing
• Media
• Real Estate/Construction
• Retail
• Technology
• Transportation

Contact Us

Michael E. Toner
202.719.7545 | mtoner@wileyrein.com

Our People

*Not admitted to the District of Columbia Bar. Supervised by principals of the firm who are members of the District of Columbia Bar.

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