Jim Kahl to Discuss Citizens United’s impact on PACs at Women in Government Relations Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Womble Carlyle Political Law attorney Jim Kahl will participate in a panel discussion on “PAC Balance: How the Balance has Shifted Post Citizens United.” The December 3rd discussion is part of the Annual PACs, Politics & Grassroots Conference sponsored by Women in Government Relations.

Having completed the first Presidential election cycle in the era of Super PACs, the panel will discuss, “How did it go and what does the future hold?” Panelists will discuss how the Super PAC dynamic impacted the 2012 election as well as insights about the shifting balance in political giving and campaigning in America.

The PACs, Politics & Grassroots Conference takes place at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.

Jim Kahl represents clients regarding the regulation of political activity, including counseling on federal and state laws governing campaign finance, government ethics, lobbying laws, and political activity by government employees. With an extensive background working in and practicing before federal agencies, Jim helps clients navigate the complex regulatory maze that impacts federal and state political activity. From 2002 to 2007, Jim served as Deputy General Counsel of the Federal Election Commission. He also served as Deputy Special Counsel at the US Office of Special Counsel.

Womble Carlyle to Present WMACCA Program on Political Contributions, Lobbying and Gifts

Washington, D.C.—When engaging with public officials or candidates for public office either to develop business or for political purposes, it is essential to understand and comply with the complex array of applicable federal, state and local rules that can put your organization at risk. On September 15, 2011, Larry Norton and Jim Kahl of Womble Carlyle’s Political Law Team will present a luncheon program to the Washington Metro-area Corporate Counsel Association (WMACCA) entitled, “Strategies for Political Law Compliance: Political Contributions, Lobbying, and Gifts.”

During the presentation, Larry and Jim will outline steps your organization can take now to minimize the risks presented by political activity, including:

• How can personal fundraising and other volunteer political activities by executives and other employees pose risks to your organization, and what training or other practices should you institute to assure compliance?
• What types of internal controls can reduce the compliance risks for PACs?
• What are the best practices for collecting information and monitoring compliance with federal lobbying laws so that you are prepared in the event of a random audit by the Comptroller General?
• How can an organization protect its bids and contracts from disqualification under widely varying state and local pay-to-play laws?
• What new tools are available to companies and non-profits in the wake of last year’s Supreme Court ruling, and how can they be used in a way that avoids legal risks and adverse publicity?

Larry Norton and Jim Kahl served as General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, respectively, of the Federal Election Commission, spanning the period from September 2001 to March 2007. They currently lead the Political Law Practice at Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, and advise clients in connection with campaign finance, lobbying and government ethics matters. Larry and Jim submitted a brief to the Supreme Court in Citizens United v. FEC, in support of the prevailing party.

Joining the panel is Margaret Cassidy of PricewaterhouseCoopers, who serves as Government Ethics & Compliance Director and oversees the firm's compliance with campaign finance, lobbying and other government ethics matters.

This program will be held at Womble Carlyle’s Washington, DC office from 12:00-2:00 p.m. and will be offered live and via webcast. Lunch will be provided on-site and 1.5 hours of General Virginia CLE credit are pending for the presentation.

For more information and to register, please click here.

Larry Norton to Speak at Corporate Lobbying and Political Activity Forum

Womble Carlyle attorney Larry Norton will be speaking at the American Conference Institute's National Advanced Forum on Corporate Lobbying and Political Activity. The conference is scheduled for April 29-30 at the Marriott Metro Center in Washington, D.C.

Norton is on the three-attorney Conference Advisory Board and will be speaking on "State Pay-to-Play Legislation and Enforcement: Navigating a Changing Landscape." Topics to be discussed include:

• State variations across the country vis-à-vis covered donors
• Trend toward including gifts and entertainment in state pay-to-play laws
• Illinois' new pay-to-play requirements
  - New registration and reporting requirements
  - Contribution and solicitation restrictions on Illinois bidder, contractors and related entities
• New Jersey’s pay-to-play regime
  - Contribution limits and enforcement requirements
  - Recent expansion of scope of regime
• Assessing the potential risk to your company if the company or its contractors make political donations
• Guidelines for employees – so they don’t unwittingly violate pay-to-play rules.

Norton also is leading a pre-conference workshop on “The Fundamentals of Corporate Political Activity.” The workshop will be held from 2-5 p.m. on April 28th.

For more information or to register, click here.