Litigation

U.S. Political Law

Nationally recognized leaders on the laws governing the political process

In the United States, engagement in the political process is a bedrock right enshrined in the Constitution and civic responsibility. It is also highly regulated. We serve as trusted advisers to companies, organizations, individuals, and political committees subject to the laws governing political speech and elections.

The creative pioneer of modern political law, Ashurst Perkins Coie is home to one of the oldest, most respected political law practices in the United States. For decades, we have served as legal advisers in some of the most consequential matters in the nation. Fortune 100 companies, nonprofit 501(c) organizations, U.S. presidential candidates, governors, members of Congress and congressional candidates, lobbying firms, and other law firms have all turned to Ashurst Perkins Coie for their leading-edge work.

We represent clients in virtually every aspect of the political law process—from daily advice on lawful engagement with government and political and nonprofit giving to guidance on strategic projects and internal audits and litigation and dispute-resolution—in their efforts to effectively engage in political activity. Our lawyers distinguish themselves by their broad, big-picture understanding of the political system and deep understanding of client needs.

Our voting rights litigation practice is extraordinary among law firms. Recognizing that politics and political law extend beyond Washington, D.C., we have established a national footprint of lawyers, with the most critical litigation often happening at the state level. We have also litigated on voting rights issues and handled recounts across the United States for presidential, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and gubernatorial candidates.

At all levels of government, we help nonpartisan for-profit companies and nonprofit trade associations on all aspects of the law affecting how they interact with governmental and political processes: campaign finance, gift and lobbying compliance, political advertising, employee political activity, and nonprofit political engagement. Our regular representation of clients before the Federal Election Commission has involved major enforcement actions, advisory opinions, and rulemakings. We have represented members of Congress in ethics investigations. We help clients before the IRS in the tax-exempt application process, tax disputes, and during audits. We counsel daily on compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) and state lobbying laws. We counsel state government contractors on how to make political contributions lawfully. We prepare and submit LDA filings for clients who need that service. We also help companies and organizations navigate the requirements of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and prepare and file those reports as well.

A national political law platform

Ashurst Perkins Coie combines decades of political law leadership with a nationwide team that can handle major federal, state, and local matters.

Broad representation of nonpartisan entities across the political process

We frequently represent corporations, nonprofit organizations, public affairs firms, elected officials, candidates, political parties, and political committees.

Proven capability in high-stakes election matters

The practice brings distinctive voting rights and recount experience, including matters in states across the nation. Its lawyers pair broad political-system insight with deep litigation skills and experience and provide practical counsel in matters involving the Federal Election Commission, the IRS, and lobbying disclosure rules.