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In this election cycle, independent political advertising has been dominated by well-funded special interest groups, Super PACs, and advocacy organizations.  The goal of StandLouder.com is to provide a venue where ordinary citizens and small businesses can join with others to sponsor user-generated ads about candidates and issues. Website users can donate their dollars to the ads they want to support and can submit their own ads for funding by other users.  Once there is broad-based buy-in for an ad, StandLouder.com will place that ad on TV, radio, or distribute through other communications media.  To ensure that StandLouder.com remains a platform for average Americans, users cannot coordinate their activities with candidates and political parties, and foreign corporations, foreign individuals, and federal contractors are prohibited from providing content or funding ads.
 

“We are delighted that the Federal Election Commission has issued its opinion allowing StandLouder.com to begin operations,” said StandLouder.com founder Victor Hannak.  “Up to this point, political advertising has been dominated by well-funded corporate interests and affluent individuals. StandLouder.com will open political advertising to every American, regardless of income level, and broaden the dialogue on issues of importance to our country.”   

Womble Carlyle political law attorney Jim Kahl represented StandLouder.com in the FEC advisory opinion proceeding. Jim Kahl is one of the leaders of Womble Carlyle’s political law practice and was the former Deputy General Counsel at the Federal Election Commission.  The opinion, AO 2011-24 (StandLouder.com) is available on Womble Carlyle’s political law page of the firm’s website.     

“We are excited that the FEC has carefully considered and approved the operations of StandLouder.com,” Kahl said.  “Through the StandLouder.com website, average Americans and small business will be able to join together to create and sponsor ads about candidates and issues they care about. The political advocacy freedoms enjoyed by corporations and wealthy interests because of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, are now within reach of all Americans.”

Jim Kahl represents clients regarding the regulation of political activity, including counseling on federal and state laws governing campaign finance, government ethics, lobbying laws, and political activity by government employees.  With an extensive background working in and practicing before federal agencies, Jim helps clients navigate the complex regulatory maze that impacts federal and state political activity. From 2002 to 2007, Jim served as Deputy General Counsel of the Federal Election Commission. He also served as Deputy Special Counsel at the US Office of Special Counsel.

 

 

About Womble Carlyle

Womble Carlyle is a full-service business law firm with a focus on innovative solutions to client needs. The firm supports the Association of Corporate Counsel in the ACC Value Challenge, which seeks to better align legal services with the needs of corporate clients.

The firm serves clients nationally and globally with more than 550 attorneys in fourteen offices: Atlanta; Charleston, Columbia and Greenville, S.C.; Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, and Winston-Salem, N.C.; Silicon Valley, Calif., Washington, D.C.; Tysons Corner, Va.; Baltimore; and Wilmington, Del.

In the community, the firm is the first law firm to receive the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Corporate Leadership Award as well as the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Freedom Award.