Profile
Brandi advises candidates, officeholders, political parties, PACs, corporations, trade associations, and other organizations on compliance with all aspects of law concerning the political process, including state and federal campaign finance, ethics, lobbying, and pay-to-play laws.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Assists candidates, officeholders, political parties, PACs, corporations, and trade associations in complying with campaign finance, ethics, lobbying, pay-to-play, and other areas of political law.
- Counsels candidates running for federal office at all stages of the electoral process.
- Represents clients before the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in enforcement proceedings, rulemaking comments, and advisory opinion requests.
- Represents clients before the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), U.S. House Committee on Ethics, and U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics in ethics matters.
- Advises tax-exempt charitable and social welfare organizations in the areas of federal and state corporate and tax compliance and in securing and retaining tax exemption.
Professional Experience
- Counsel, Federal Election Commission, Office of Commissioner Lee E. Goodman (2016-2017)
- Deputy General Counsel, Jeb Bush Presidential Campaign (2015-2016)
- Outside Counsel, Governor Tim Pawlenty Presidential Campaign (2011)
- Associate Counsel (2009) and Law Clerk (2007-2008), Republican National Committee (RNC)
- Law Clerk, National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) (2009)
- Campaign Finance Analyst, Federal Election Commission (2004-2006)
Affiliations
- American Bar Association (ABA), Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice
- Co-Chair, Committee on Elections (2010-2012)
- The Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL)
- Public Affairs Council (PAC)
- State Government Affairs Council (SGAC)
- Women in Government Relations (WGR)
Recognitions
- Listed by Chambers USA as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” in Political Law (2022-2024) and “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business - Up and Coming” (2020-2021) in Political Law
- Named one of DCA Live’s “Emerging Women Leaders in Law: Private Practice” (2019)
- Named “Distinguished Election Law Alumnus of the Year” by The William & Mary Election Law Society (2015)
- Named one of DC’s “Rising Stars” for Legislative & Governmental Affairs (2014-2015, 2019-2020) and Political Law (2013) by Super Lawyers magazine
Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
J.D., William & Mary Law School
B.A., College of William & Mary
Law Journals
Senior Articles Editor, William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal
Bar and Court Memberships
- District of Columbia Bar
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Certifications
Legal Lean Sigma Institute (LLSI) White Belt
Related News & Insights
- AlertFederal PAC Post-General Election Reports Due December 5D. Mark Renaud, Brandis L. Zehr, Karen E. TrainerNovember 12, 2024
- Media MentionWiley Intervenes in Federal Election Campaign Spending RowThe National Law JournalNovember 5, 2024
- Press ReleaseChambers USA Recognizes 42 Wiley Attorneys in 14 CategoriesJune 6, 2024
- ArticleTo Comply With Campaign Finance Rules, Watch The CalendarLaw360D. Mark Renaud, Andrew G. Woodson, Brandis L. ZehrOctober 26, 2023