Derek Lawlor

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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New Push for Donor Disclosure in New York

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Campaign Finance, State Law, Tax
The New York Attorney General proposed today a broad plan requiring nonprofit organizations involved in New York state elections to disclose the nonprofit’s donors and electoral advocacy activity.  This proposed rule comes on the heels of a new rule in New York requiring organizations that lobby to disclose certain donors.  The AG’s proposed rule, however, … Continue Reading

Hiring from the House: Committee on Ethics Issues Guidance on House Members and Staff Seeking and Entering into New Employment

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Government Ethics
The House Committee on Ethics has issued two memoranda—one to Members and officers and the other to staff—detailing the restrictions placed on these individuals when negotiating future employment and entering the private workforce.  While this guidance is directed to those within the House of Representatives, it provides a useful description of the issues private employers … Continue Reading

FCC Issues “Enforcement Advisory” on Political Telephone Calls

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Enforcement
Yesterday,  the Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau issued a timely advisory on the statutes and rules restricting political telephone calls.  In the high season for election activity, the FCC hopes that the Advisory will lead to greater compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA) and Commission rules, warning that “the TCPA and … Continue Reading

FEC Approves a Less Expensive Path to Larger Text Message Contributions

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Campaign Finance
In June, the FEC approved a process for making text message political contributions limited to $50 per month.  In August, the FEC clarified the compliance responsibilities related to these small, anonymous text message contributions.  Now, just three weeks later, the FEC has approved a process for making text message contributions that exceed $50 per month … Continue Reading

MSRB Seeks Increased Disclosure on Bond Ballot Contributions to Address Pay-to-Play Concerns

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Pay-to-Play
Many state and local jurisdictions allow voters to decide whether the jurisdiction should issue bonds to fund municipal projects.  The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) is concerned that municipal securities dealers are using political contributions to these bond ballot campaigns to secure business by the issuer of the bonds on the ballot.  Yesterday, the MSRB … Continue Reading

FEC Approves Text Message Political Contributions … Again

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Campaign Finance
The FEC made public today two advisory opinions, AO 2012-26 (m-Qube II) and 2012-28 (CTIA), that clarify the permissibility of political contributions via text message.  Though the FEC gave general approval to text message contributing in AO 2012-17 (m-Qube I), campaigns and service providers sought additional guidance from the FEC to ensure compliance with the … Continue Reading

Putting a Name and Face Behind Text Message Contributions

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Campaign Finance
Last month, the FEC approved a method for contributing to federal political committees by text message (AO 2012-17), but noted that the process described in that AO might not be the only permissible method.  Since that opinion, there have already been additional requests that seek clarification of the Commission’s rules on text message contributions.  On Monday, … Continue Reading

Survey Says … SEC Pay-to-Play Policies Are on the Rise

By Derek Lawlor on Posted in Pay-to-Play, SEC Pay-to-Play
More investment firms are adopting policies to address compliance with the SEC pay-to-play rule, according to a recent survey conducted by the Investment Adviser Association, the ACA Compliance Group, and Old Mutual Asset Management.  The survey of 555 firms found that 43% of firms reported adopting pay-to-play policies as part of larger compliance policies, and … Continue Reading
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