On September 14, 2007, President Bush signed the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007. This much discussed new law is already making noticeable changes in the way Members of Congress and staff interact with corporations, nonprofits and trade associations that employ or retain lobbyists. Gifts by lobbyists to Members of Congress and staff have been eliminated, unless the gift fits within one of the exceptions to the gift rules. Travel sponsored by organizations employing a lobbyist has been significantly restricted. Beginning in 2008, the new law will require Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) reports to be filed quarterly. These reports for the first time must also contain semi-annual reporting of campaign contributions made by lobbyists, political committees established by the lobbyists, payments made by lobbyists for events or to entities connected with government officials or designed to honor a covered official, including donations to the Inaugural Committees and Presidential Libraries. Sponsorship of events at national party conventions honoring Members of Congress has been prohibited.
Perhaps most importantly, for the first time, an individual representing the organization filing the LDA report must certify that the individual has read and is familiar with House and Senate Ethics rules, including gift and travel rules, and that the organization or entity filing the LDA has not provided or directed that gift or travel be offered to a Member of Congress or staff "with knowledge that the receipt would violate" Congressional rules. Civil and criminal penalties for knowing violations of the Act are increased.
These changes will have a major impact on every entity registered under the LDA. For the first time, not knowing the gift and travel rules, or the details of the many exceptions to these rules, or not properly completing a LDA filing may have significant consequences.
This seminar will explain the new changes and provide practical advice for establishing internal procedures for compliance and reporting. Our panelists will discuss methods for maintaining effective governmental affairs strategies under increased restrictions, scrutiny and reporting. In addition to the increased LDA reporting requirements and the new gift and travel rules, we will review new earmark, bundling and employment rules for Congressional employees leaving Capitol Hill. We will also provide tips for avoiding pitfalls and for dealing with the situation where someone in your entity may have violated the new rules. The information presented is essential for any entity pursuing business opportunities with the federal government or seeking to influence policy decisions in Congress or the Executive Branch. Register early, as we believe there will be keen interest in this program and space will be limited in order to facilitate questions and discussion.
Moderator:
Marcia Hale, Former White House Intergovernmental Affairs Director and DCCC Political Director
Panelists:
Jeffrey Altman, Counsel to trade associations, political and other nonprofit organizations
Randy Evans, Former Counsel to the Speaker of the House, Counsel to the Republican Party of Georgia and federal and state elected officials
Joshua Hochberg, Former Chief of the Fraud Section, Criminal Division, Department of Justice
Randy Nuckolls, Former Senate Legislative Director, Ethics Counsel to nonprofits and corporations
Stefan Passantino, Former counsel to the Speaker of the House, current campaign and ethics counsel for numerous Members of Congress and elected officials
Ted Van Der Meid, Former Chief Counsel of the House Committee on Standards of Conduct, former Director of Floor Operations for the Speaker of the House
CLE Credit -- This course has been approved by the Virginia State Bar, the State Bar of Georgia and the State Bar of California, for mandatory continuing legal education credit in the amount of 2.00 hours, of which 0.00 will apply in the area of ethics. The reporting of your attendance at this course will be done for you by McKenna Long & Aldridge. Please provide your bar number at registration if you wish to seek CLE credit.
For more information please contact Junelle Cavero 202.496.7227 or to register please click here.