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Derek Lawlor

Derek Lawlor is an of counsel in the firm’s Washington office and a member of the firm’s Election & Political Law and White Collar practice groups.  He assists corporations, nonprofit organizations, and trade associations with federal and state lobbying, campaign finance, and government ethics issues.  Mr. Lawlor also represents clients in government investigations and inquiries conducted by the Federal Election Commission, Office of Congressional Ethics, and Congressional Committees and Commissions.  Prior to receiving his law degree, Mr. Lawlor worked in the Office of General Counsel at the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Employees Running for Public Office: Political Law Compliance Considerations

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Campaign Finance
Even corporations with careful political law compliance practices can be caught off guard when they learn that an employee is running for public office. The corporation may have a good understanding of what the corporation’s obligations and restrictions are in the political arena, but not fully know how to handle the compliance issues stemming from … Continue Reading

Understanding H.R. 1 (Part 2): Changes to the Lobbying Disclosure Act and Foreign Agents Registration Act

By Robert Kelner, Robert Lenhard, Brian D. Smith, Derek Lawlor and Andrew Garrahan on Posted in Compliance Issues, Foreign Agents Registration Act
With a growing chorus of support across the progressive landscape, the For the People Act of 2021 has emerged as a key legislative priority for congressional Democrats in the 117th Congress. Envisioned as a “transformational anti-corruption and clean elections reform package,” the bill would enact sweeping changes to federal election laws along with important changes … Continue Reading

LDA’s Registration Threshold Increases By $1,000

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Compliance Issues
Under the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act (“LDA”), an organization or lobbying firm must register if it employs an individual who meets the definition of a “lobbyist” and if its total expenses or income for lobbying activities meet certain monetary thresholds.  The two non-monetary thresholds determining when an individual becomes a “lobbyist,” discussed below, are usually … Continue Reading

Understanding H.R. 1 (Part 1): Corporate & Trade Association Campaign Activity

By Robert Kelner, Robert Lenhard, Derek Lawlor, Perrin Cooke and Andrew Garrahan on Posted in Campaign Finance
With a growing chorus of support across the progressive landscape, the For the People Act of 2021 has emerged as a key legislative priority for congressional Democrats in the 117th Congress. Envisioned as a “transformational anti-corruption and clean elections reform package,” the bill would enact sweeping changes to federal election laws along with important changes … Continue Reading

FEC Increases Contribution Limits for 2021-2022

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Campaign Finance
The Federal Election Commission has announced contribution limits for 2021-2022.  The new “per election” limits are effective for the 2021-2022 election cycle (November 4, 2020 – November 8, 2022), and the calendar year limits are effective January 1, 2021. The FEC increased the amount an individual can contribute to a candidate to $2,900 per election, up from … Continue Reading

How Can Corporations Support the Voting Process?

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Campaign Finance
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, voting in the 2020 general election is likely to look different than we have seen in recent times. Election officials across the country are working through in-person voting and vote-by-mail procedures and individual voters are deciding how best to cast their ballots. At the same time, many corporations … Continue Reading

A Rookie’s Guide to Federal Lobbying Compliance: Four Key Risks for Companies Contacting Government Officials on COVID-19 Matters

By Zachary G. Parks, Derek Lawlor and Jessica Jensen on Posted in Compliance Issues, COVID-19, Uncategorized
As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic spreads through every industry, companies that previously steered clear of Washington, D.C. may find themselves contacting the federal government for assistance. From communicating with Members of Congress about potential provisions of the CARES Act to requesting new forms of assistance from federal agencies that oversee their industries, these … Continue Reading

New Changes to Foreign Agents Registration Act Forms and E-File System

By Robert Kelner, Brian D. Smith, Derek Lawlor and Alex Langton on Posted in Compliance Issues, Uncategorized
Following the Department of Justice’s announcement in March of an initiative to increase enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”), the Department has rolled out a new e-file system for FARA registrations.  Notably, the new system only applies to new registrants, although the Department indicated that it will transition existing registrants to the new … Continue Reading

Congress Amends LDA Forms to Require Reporting of Lobbyist Convictions

By Robert Kelner, Robert Lenhard, Zachary G. Parks and Derek Lawlor on Posted in Compliance Issues, Congressional Action
The recent passage of the Justice Against Corruption on K Street Act of 2018 (“JACK Act” or the “Act”) imposes new requirements on those registering and filing reports under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (“LDA”). The Act amends the LDA to require that LDA registrants disclose listed lobbyists’ convictions for criminal offenses involving bribery, extortion, embezzlement, … Continue Reading

IRS Announces Major Change To Nonprofit Donor Disclosure Requirements

By Zachary G. Parks, Derek Lawlor and Robert Kelner on Posted in Compliance Issues, Tax Reform, Uncategorized
In a significant and unexpected development, the U.S. Treasury Department announced yesterday that certain nonprofits — including trade associations and 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations — would no longer be required to disclose the names and addresses of their donors on the annual “Form 990” they file with the Internal Revenue Service. Although the IRS already … Continue Reading

House Tax Bill Opens Door to Expanded Political Activity By Charities

By Robert Kelner, Robert Lenhard, Susan Leahy, Zachary G. Parks and Derek Lawlor on Posted in Congressional Action
There is one very important political law provision to watch as the tax bill moves to a final vote in the Senate, and potentially a conference committee reconciles the House and Senate versions.  This amendment will remove the ban on partisan political activities by charitable entities, churches, educational institutions and all other organizations exempt from … Continue Reading

FEC Increases Contribution Limits to Party Committees, Leaves Candidate Limits the Same

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Compliance Issues
The Federal Election Commission has announced contribution limits for the 2017-2018 election cycle.  The new limits are effective January 1, 2017. The FEC did not change the limit on the amount an individual can contribution to a candidate, leaving the limit at $2700 per election.  Because the primary and general count as separate elections, individuals may … Continue Reading

Presidential Appointees Can Take Advantage of 2014 OGE Guidance on Hedge Funds

By Robert Kelner, Robert Lenhard, Derek Lawlor and Matthew Shapanka on Posted in Compliance Issues
 As the President-elect begins to nominate individuals for Senate-confirmed positions in his administration, one of the major hurdles these individuals face is the statutory requirement that the Director of the Office of Government Ethics (“OGE”) review and certify a public disclosure of each source of income exceeding $200 and each property interest exceeding $1,000 in … Continue Reading

Guidelines for Interacting with President-Elect Trump’s Transition Team

By Robert Kelner, Robert Lenhard, Zachary G. Parks, Derek Lawlor and Andrew Garrahan on Posted in Compliance Issues, Uncategorized
Over the next nine weeks, the Trump Presidential Transition team will formulate policy and staffing recommendations for the new administration. This alert gives a broad overview of the Transition and the laws that regulate interactions with Transition team members on issues related to appointments and policy recommendations. Persons interested in this topic may also wish … Continue Reading

The Senate’s District Court Win in the Backpage Subpoena Fight Could Have Significant Implications for Congressional Investigations

By Brian D. Smith, Robert Kelner and Derek Lawlor on Posted in Congressional Investigations
Last week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in a rare case that has the potential to contribute significantly to the case law concerning congressional investigations. It is uncommon for a federal court to have an opportunity to rule on a congressional … Continue Reading

House Clerk’s Office Apparently Sends Out Late Lobbyist Report Notices In Error

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Compliance Issues
Yesterday afternoon, the House Clerk’s Office sent out emails to a number of registered federal lobbyists and lobbyist organizations alerting them to a missing 2016 Mid-Year LD-203 contribution report (due on August 1, 2016).  It appears that this email was sent in error to a batch of registrants who properly filed their reports on time.  … Continue Reading

Forming and Operating Super PACs: A Practical Guide for Political Consultants in 2016

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Compliance Issues
Covington recently released a high-level primer that provides political consultants with a practical resource for creating and running a federal Super PAC in a legally compliant manner.  The primer, which is available here, explains the history and basic rules that apply to federal Super PACs.  The primer then discusses the following key topics: checklist of … Continue Reading
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