Political Law Podcast

The “Wild West” of AI Use In Campaigns

October 12, 2023



As the tide turns toward another election cycle, the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI) raises alarms in the campaign space. Wiley Election Law partner Caleb Burns moderates a discussion with fellow Election Law partner Andrew Woodson; Privacy, Cyber & Data Governance partners Duane Pozza and Kat Scott; and Intellectual Property partner David Weslow on how best to navigate this new “AI Wild West.” Hear about required disclosures related to chatbots, laws prohibiting deepfakes, clarifications on “fair use” in the copyright world, differences between for-profits and nonprofits in state privacy laws, and even potential upcoming rulemaking from the Federal Election Commission itself.

Charging George Santos: Analyzing the U.S. Department of Justice’s Indictment of the Congressman

May 18, 2023

Congressman George Santos was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2022, representing New York’s Third Congressional District. On May 10, 2023 he was arraigned in Federal District Court in Long Island, NY on a 13-count criminal indictment for allegedly defrauding donors, illegally obtaining unemployment benefits, and lying about his income and his assets on public financial disclosure forms. Why does the indictment cover only a small portion of what has been reported about Congressman Santos’s alleged wrongdoings? Listen as Election Law & Government Ethics attorneys Rob Walker and Caleb Burns discuss why the indictment is narrowly focused, how the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will work to prove these charges, and more.

Top 5 Takeaways From New Jersey’s 2023 Pay - To - Play Reform

April 24, 2023

In this episode, partner Mark Renaud discusses what corporations and government contractors need to know following New Jersey's April 2023 campaign finance reform bill, which includes significant revisions to state and local pay-to-play laws, political contributions, non-profit disclosures, and the organization of the Election Law Enforcement Commission. Mark discusses how these reforms may impact you or your business.

New Year, New PAC: Have a Successful PAC Audit in 2023

February 1, 2023

In this episode, Wiley Partner Mark Renaud discusses PAC audits. Mark covers the different types of audits a PAC may undergo and under what circumstances a PAC may elect to undergo an audit. Join Mark as he discusses what an audit will look like and how audits can bring value to your corporate or trade association PAC.

The LD-203 Contribution Report: Content, Context, and Compliance

July 7, 2022

In this podcast, Wiley partner Carol Laham and of counsel Rob Walker discuss the ins and outs of the LD-203 Contribution Report. The LD-203 is due semi-annually with the next one due on August 1, 2022. The report requires all federally registered lobbyist firms, organizations, and self-employed individuals to disclose all details related to lobbying activity. With the deadline looming, Carol and Rob answer common questions about the report, break down the requirements, and dole out best practices for ensuring compliance.

Part 1: Hiring Individuals from the Government: What Post-Employment Looks Like

April 14, 2022



Listen to Robert L. Walker, of counsel in Wiley’s Election Law and Government Ethics Practice and Kara M. Sacilotto, a partner in Wiley’s Government Contracts Practice, discuss “Hiring Individuals from the Government: What Post-Employment Looks Like.” This episode provides an overview of key legal, ethical, and practical pitfalls encountered from individuals and some of the unique issues government contractors face when hiring former government employees.

Primary Elections and Campaign Finance: Ten Things to Know

January 31, 2022

On this episode, Wiley Election Law & Government Ethics partners Mark Renaud and Andrew Woodson discuss how primary elections affect the campaign finance regime in election years. Andrew and Mark explain the top ten things that companies and associations need to be prepared for or know regarding primary elections in the Federal Election Commission's rules and regulations as well as in state and local campaign finance rules.

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA): A Discussion on Reach, Impact, & Proposed Modifications

October 18, 2021

On this episode, Rob Walker is joined by Tessa Capeloto to discuss recent developments as to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), including an ABA task force report on FARA and certain policy considerations for Congress in regard to proposed legislative changes. Beginning with a brief overview of FARA, the group then engages in an insightful discussion on the increased interest surrounding FARA, it’s enforcement, and its ongoing evolution.

Staying Compliant: Ensure that your Company is Prepared to Comply with the Lobbying Disclosure Act

July 6, 2021



In this episode, Wiley’s Carol Laham and Rob Walker discuss lobbying disclosures. Join Carol and Rob as they offer an overview of the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) and a timely review of the requirements for the LDA’s semi-annual and quarterly reports. The pair discuss the different requirements for a lobbying firm versus an organization with in-house lobbyists, and how each organization has different requirements and expectations when it comes time to submit a LDA report.

A Break Down of the SCOTUS Oral Argument on First Amendment Right to Privacy in Association

May 3, 2021

Wiley’s Lee Goodman, Andrew Woodson, and Jeremy Broggi break down the U.S. Supreme Court’s April 26 oral arguments in two cases: Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta and Thomas More Law Center v. Bonta. The cases present First Amendment challenges to a California Attorney General (AG) rule requiring all non-profit organizations to turn over to the California AG their donor lists in the form of their IRS Schedule B’s as a condition of their charitable registration in the state. Wiley filed amicus briefs on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Legislative Exchange Council. Lee, Andrew, and Jeremy discuss the central legal issues in this case, the two amicus briefs that Wiley filed, takeaways from the oral argument, and the likely paths that the court might take.

Pay to Play Risk is High due to New Jersey 2021 Elections: Reduce your risk now!

April 27, 2021

In this episode, partner Mark Renaud discusses Pay-to-Play laws as they apply in light of the 2021 gubernatorial and other elections in New Jersey. He covers what a Pay-to-Play law is and its function within the government contracting space before reviewing how these specific laws apply in New Jersey’s current election cycle. Finally, he discusses how to ensure that your organization reduces its pay-to-play risk at the state and local levels in NJ and across the country.

H.R. 1 – How would the Lobbying Disclosure Act be Affected?

February 25, 2021

This is the third episode in a series of podcasts on H.R. 1, a bill that has been introduced in Congress that would affect campaign finance, lobbying, ethics, and voting laws. In this episode, Election Law Partner Mark Renaud discusses how H.R. 1 could potentially affect the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) and, under the LDA, who is considered a lobbyist and the regulation of federal lobbyists.

H.R. 1 – Digital Ad Regulation and Foreign National Prohibitions

February 23, 2021

This is the second episode in a series of podcasts on H.R. 1, a bill that has been introduced in Congress that would affect campaign finance, lobbying, ethics, and voting laws. In this episode, Election Law Special Counsel Eric Wang and TMT Of Counsel Joan Stewart discuss how the H.R. 1 provisions will affect the regulation of digital political ads (both campaign and issue ads); how the bill will affect sellers and purchasers of ads; and how the bill will make advertising platforms and media companies responsible for preventing foreign nationals from purchasing political ads.

H.R. 1 – What Corporations, Non-Profits, and Trade Associations Need to Know

February 18, 2021



This episode is the first in a series of podcasts on H.R. 1, a bill that has been introduced in Congress that would affect campaign finance, lobbying, ethics, and voting laws. In this episode, Partner Mark Renaud and Special Counsel Eric Wang break down how the law will affect corporate and trade association political activity through increased disclosure, CEO certifications, disclaimers, and other regulatory approaches.

A Breakdown of the Biden-Harris Transition Ethics Plan

October 13, 2020

Election Law and Government Ethics of counsel Rob Walker and associate Hannah Miller discuss the Biden-Harris transition ethics plan and changes to government ethics and lobbying regulation that Candidate Joe Biden has pledged to put in place or pursue if the Biden-Harris team wins the 2020 Election.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the 2020 Election

October 5, 2020

Wiley’s Election Law partner Brandi Zehr sits down with TMT partner Scott Delacourt and associate Boyd Garriott to discuss the impact of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) on political campaigns, the regulatory risk of the TCPA, and cases we should be watching and their possible implications for political callers. For more information on the TCPA and political callers, Wiley Connect published "What Political Callers and Texters Need to Know about the TCPA." Read it here: www.wileyconnect.com/home/2018/10/3…a?rq=political

Avoiding the ‘Naughty’ List: How to Comply with Federal Ethics Rules during the Holiday Season

December 10, 2019



In this podcast Wiley Rein Of Counsel Rob Walker and Associate Louisa Brooks of the Election Law and Government Ethics practice present a holiday refresher on the federal ethics rules, including practical compliance guidance for the holiday season, from party invitations to stocking stuffers.

HBO’s Succession S2 E9 “DC” – What the Episode Gets Right & Wrong About Congressional Investigations

October 11, 2019

In this podcast, Wiley Rein attorney Lukman Azeez discusses the latest episode of HBO’s hit show, Succession, and what the episode gets “right” and what the episode gets “wrong” about congressional investigations. They also share their observations of key Washington, DC scenes in the episode.

There are spoilers in this podcast, so please beware!

FARA: What You Need to Know About the Foreign Agents Disclosure and Registration Enhancement Act

July 16, 2019

Robert L. Walker, of counsel in Wiley Rein’s Election Law and Government Ethics Practice discusses U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley’s (R-IA) recent introduction of the S. 1762: Foreign Agents Disclosure and Registration Enhancement Act, which aims to improve compliance and enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

How the U.S. House and Senate May Enforce Subpoenas

May 1, 2019

In a new episode of Wiley Rein’s Political Law Podcast, Rob Walker – Of Counsel in Wiley Rein’s Election Law and Government Ethics Practice Group – discusses how the U.S. House and Senate may enforce subpoenas through criminal and civil contempt proceedings.

The SEC Whistleblower Program in 2018

January 8, 2019



In this episode of the Government Ethics & Investigations Podcast, Wiley Rein attorney Kevin Muhlendorf discusses the SEC’s 2018 Whistleblower Program report, including this year’s record-breaking whistleblower tips and awards.

Midterm Elections: What is the Congressional Investigations Landscape?

November 14, 2018

Wiley Rein partner Peter S. Hyun and of counsel Robert L. Walker, both members of Wiley Rein’s Election Law & Government Ethics and White Collar Defense & Government Investigations practices, co-hosted a podcast focusing on the congressional investigations landscape following last week’s historic midterm elections. With Democrats gaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Republicans retaining their majority in the U.S. Senate, the Wiley Rein attorneys had much to discuss regarding the new congressional session that will begin January 3, 2019, under divided leadership.

Federal Gift Rules with Rob Walker

September 21, 2018