Michael Toner Comments on Drive to Recruit Government Officials During Election Year

Michael Toner, co-chair of Wiley Rein’s Election Law & Government Ethics Practice, was interviewed for a Washington Post article about the Washington DC elite law firm recruitment cycle that is closely tied to the presidential campaign season.

During a presidential election year, top DC law firms compete to recruit talented individuals from federal agencies, the White House and congressional staff. Mr. Toner, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FCC), commented, “The period before the presidential election is a time when many law firms, trade associations and companies assess the talent pool, their hiring needs and budgets, and reach out to government officials they are potentially interested in. But it’s November and December when the really intensive negotiations occur. A lot of this gets wrapped up by the winter or early spring after the presidential election. The next six months is prime time for this process.”

Firms pursue individuals who can help build or create practices and think about making strategic investments, according to the article. In addition, it is becoming increasingly important for firms to hire those who can quickly build a book of business.