Election Law
Shaping government policies and decisions is vitally important in today’s political, commercial, and regulatory environment. Because actions that influence political campaigns, agency decisions, and legislation are regulated at all levels of government, businesses and individuals may need knowledgeable counsel who can help steer them through intricate election-related laws and regulations and give them the confidence to vigorously engage in the political process.
Snell & Wilmer’s election law group regularly counsels clients on compliance with federal, state, and local election laws, including political contributions, ballot measure and initiative campaigns, independent expenditures, candidate campaigns, ballot qualification and candidate nominating petitions, political action committees (PACs), corporate political activities and communications, lobbying and legislation, as well as government ethics and administrative proceedings.
Campaign Finance and Election Law: Our bipartisan campaign finance and election law attorneys advise clients on issues that include political advocacy, contributions, and expenditures. We represent clients before the Federal Election Commission, state election commissions (including the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission), and local election authorities in enforcement matters, rulemakings, advisory opinion requests, and other election-related matters. Our firm is proficient in compliance matters as well, including registration and reporting requirements at the federal and state level for candidates, PACs, and political organizations. We also advise on related tax, contract, and employment matters that commonly arise in the context of political campaigns.
Lobbying and Legislative Affairs: Our lobbying and legislative affairs attorneys concentrate on public policy advocacy, drafting and monitoring legislation, and lobbying. The group also advises on compliance with the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act, the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and state and local laws governing lobbying registration and reporting. We also undertake initial lobbyist registrations and preparation and filing of lobbying disclosure reports for our clients at the federal, state, and local levels.
Administrative: Our attorneys regularly represent organizations and companies in agency proceedings and in challenges to federal agency action in the courts, particularly actions involving issues of agency jurisdiction and procedure.
Our clients include corporations, consultants, candidates for federal, state and local office, PACs, ballot measure and initiative/referendum committees, political parties, corporations and unions, charitable organizations (IRC § 501(c)(3)s), social welfare organizations (IRC § 501(c)(4)s), trade associations and business leagues (IRC § 501(c)(6)s), political organizations (IRC § 527s), and individual donors and fundraisers.
Knowledgeable and Connected: Members of the election law practice group include two former State Election Directors for the State of Arizona, as well as former elected officials, political consultants, and legislative aides. Our election law attorneys bring experience-based insight to each situation and are well-connected in various political spheres.
Recognized and Involved: Many of our election law attorneys have been recognized nationally by peer-review organizations such as Super Lawyers® and the Best Lawyers in America® for their legal knowledge and experience. Our attorneys also have been recognized locally as nominees for Best Capitol/Political Lawyer of the Year by the Arizona Capitol Times. Additionally, our attorneys have taught election law in law schools, are regular speakers and authors in the area of election law, and offer seminars or training sessions the can be customized to a client’s industry and needs.
