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Event Recap: Citizens United Webinar: What the Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Means for Election-Related Spending By Corporations and Associations (Archived Recording Available)

March 16, 2010

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The landmark Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC changes the rules for corporate spending in federal and state elections. The ruling removes barriers on election ad spending by corporations, corporate coalitions and trade associations. It also expands the right of corporations to communicate with employees, customers and vendors, and donate to advocacy groups in support of their election activities. More than ever, it is essential for companies and associations to understand the scope of these new opportunities and the restrictions that continue to apply.

On March 11th, Womble Carlyle Political Law attorneys, Larry Norton and Jim Kahl, presented a webinar addressing the new opportunities for influencing officeholders and candidates that have arisen from this decision, and offered practical tips for keeping companies and their employees out of trouble. The webinar addressed the following important questions that you and your management team should be asking:

  • How has the Supreme Court changed the rules for corporate participation in federal and state elections? For trade associations and advocacy groups?
  • What are the new opportunities for using political engagement to achieve business goals? What are the legal and business risks? What are the rules of the road you need to know about?
  • How are PACs affected? How about direct corporate contributions, using corporate resources to augment personal fundraising, or site visits by officeholders and candidates?
  • How are federal, state and local laws likely to change in the wake of Citizens United? Will the ruling lead to even more state and local restrictions on campaign contributions by government contractors and their employees (“pay-to-play” laws) and on lobbying by contractors? What steps is the FEC taking to clarify its regulations?
  • How have the risks of political engagement changed in the wake of Citizens United? What changes should corporations and associations consider to strengthen their compliance systems?
An archived recording of this webinar is now available online. Click here to listen.
 
About the speakers:
 
Larry Norton and Jim Kahl head Womble Carlyle's Political Law Practice. They represent corporations, trade associations, non-profit organizations, and others in connection with campaign finance, lobbying, and gift laws. Prior to joining Womble Carlyle, Larry and Jim served as General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, respectively, of the Federal Election Commission from 2001-2007. They co-author a blog on political law issues called Political GPS. Larry and Jim filed a brief in the Supreme Court in support of the winning party, Citizens United.