Womble Carlyle Presents WMACCA Signature Luncheon: Corporate Political Activity this Election Year

Larry Norton and Jim Kahl of Womble Carlyle’s DC Office and Political Law Team, will present WMACCA’s February Signature Luncheon titled, "Corporate Political Activity this Election Year - Treacherous Waters & Safe Harbors," on Thursday, February 25, 2010, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Tysons Corner Marriott.

The landmark Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC has transformed the rules for corporate spending in federal and state elections. Corporations are now able to communicate more freely about elections with the general public, as well as with their employees, customers and vendors. Corporations may also donate to trade associations and advocacy groups in support of their election activities. It is essential for companies and associations to understand the scope of these new opportunities and the restrictions that continue to apply.

Even before this ruling, a proliferation of new laws has raised the stakes for businesses engaged in political activity and lobbying at the state and local levels. For companies that seek or do business with government agencies, many state and local governments have adopted complex pay-to-play laws that restrict campaign contributions from companies, their officers and employees. States are also tightening laws that govern gifts to public officials, and expanding lobbying laws to cover sales professionals involved in government contracts and general efforts to cultivate goodwill.

The opportunities to help your business through political activity and lobbying have never been greater -- but so, too, are the risks from noncompliance. This program will familiarize you with the Citizens United case and other developments in the regulation of political activity and lobbying. You will learn about the elusive line between corporate and volunteer campaign activity, and why the distinction is so important. And you will learn how to protect your company and its executives from potential fines and criminal penalties, preserve your ability to compete for government contracts, and avoid the harm to business reputation that can occur from missteps in this area.

About the speakers:
Prior to joining the firm, Larry and Jim served respectively as General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel of the Federal Election Commission from 2001-2007. They co-author a blog on political law issues called Political GPS. Larry and Jim filed a brief in the Supreme Court in support of the winning party, Citizens United.

For more information and to register please click here.