Godfrey & Kahn: Political Law

Political Law

Our team serves independent organizations and professionals in the lobbying and political industry. We’ll help you achieve your goals with expert counsel in campaign finance, lobbying and ethics regulation, tax regulation of lobbying and political activities, and election law.

Main Content

Political

Navigating an Ever-Changing Political System

Godfrey & Kahn regularly advises on campaign finance, lobbying and ethics regulation, tax regulation of lobbying and political activities, and election law.

Our clients include businesses, trade associations, advocacy and political organizations, as well as political consultants and lobbyists.

Godfrey & Kahn does not represent candidates or political parties and the firm does not have a lobbying practice. Instead, we provide legal services to independent organizations and professionals in the lobbying and political industry.

In all of these areas, we provide ongoing counsel to our clients as an accessible and ready resource. When necessary, we work on responding to investigations and other regulatory actions. We also assist many of our clients with internal compliance matters and training.

Open All Close All

Campaign Finance

We counsel clients on state and federal campaign finance matters including:

Establishing and operating PACs and superPACs, and assistance on registration and reporting
“Major purpose” standards and the scope of state and federal regulation
Use of corporate facilities and funds for political purposes
In-kind contributions involving polling, research, and other benefits to candidates and political parties
Structuring contribution programs and preparing opinion and transmittal letters for specific contributions
Drafting anti-coordination and firewall documents while advising on independent and coordinated activities
Pre-publication review of independent communications
Working with initiative and referendum groups on formation and operations

We regularly represent clients before the Federal Election Commission as well as state and local regulatory agencies.

Lobbying and Ethics Regulation

We counsel clients on state and federal lobbying and ethics matters including:

State and federal regulation and reporting requirements for direct lobbying activities
Counsel on state registration and reporting thresholds for grassroots lobbying communications
Advising on pay-to-play laws
Compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act and other issues involving foreign principals
Counsel on gift restrictions and other ethics issues applicable to lobbyists and lobbying organizations

Tax Regulation of Lobbying and Political Activity

We counsel clients on the regulation of lobbying and political activity under the Internal Revenue Code including:

Establishing and operating section 501(c)(4) advocacy groups and section 527 political organizations
Counsel to section 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, section 501(c)(5) labor organizations and section 501(c)(6) trade associations
Representing tax-exempt clients in responding to IRS complaints as well as audits of their lobbying and political activities

Election Law

We counsel clients on state election law matters including:

Structuring get-out-the-vote (GOTV) and voter registration programs
Advising on early voting laws, vote-by-mail, and other absentee ballot issues
Use of polling place observers and other voter integrity programs

Get in Touch

Please wait while we gather your results.

Meet the Team

Join us at a seminar

Looking for More?

Our attorneys write on a variety of topics and provide engaging educational opportunities through free webinars and seminars enabling you to stay up-to-date with the most current developments, trends, and legal issues affecting your business.

Explore Insights

You might also be interested in