Jan Baran to Co-Chair PLI Seminar on Corporate Political Activities September 8-9; Caleb Burns to Speak on Aspects of Campaign Finance Law

August 23, 2016

Washington, DC—Jan Witold Baran, co-chair of the firm’s Election Law & Government Ethics Practice, will co-chair a September 8-9 seminar organized by the Practising Law Institute (PLI) on “Corporate Political Activities 2016: Complying with Campaign Finance, Lobbying, and Ethics Laws.”

In addition, Election Law partner Caleb P. Burns will speak on a panel about “Foreign Nationals; Independent Expenditure Financing.” The seminar will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington. Mr. Baran has co-chaired the annual event, and Mr. Burns has been a featured speaker, for the past several years.

The seminar will focus on federal and state lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics rules—and the changing requirements that make compliance more challenging than ever. Congressional ethics rules, the Lobbying Disclosure Act, and pay-to-play laws—which place additional responsibilities on companies and their executives—are among the topics that will be addressed.

Mr. Baran will moderate a Q&A with Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chairman Matthew S. Petersen and FEC Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub. The acclaimed program will also feature high-level officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, congressional ethics committees, and state ethics agencies, as well as corporate compliance officers and expert private practitioners. 

Subjects to be discussed during the two-day seminar include:

• Election-related issues
• The rules for corporate, union, association, and non-connected federal and state PACs
• Recent cases affecting corporate political activities, including McCutcheon v. FEC
• Limits for contributions to political parties
• 527 organizations, Super PACs, and campaigning on the Internet
• 501(c)4s: IRS proposals on nonprofits
• Federal and state gift rules, including the Obama Administration’s Executive Order and policies, with a focus on practical application
• Shareholder political participation issues
• Elements of an effective corporate compliance program
• Recent civil and criminal enforcement cases, policies, and sentencing guidelines

Attendees will include attorneys and others representing political contributors, PACs, lobbyists, corporations, trade and membership associations, unions, and other political interest groups and activists.

PLI offers discounts for groups of 4-14 from the same organization, all registering at the same time. For further discount information, please contact membership@pli.edu or call (800) 260-4PLI. Wiley Rein clients receive a special 20% discount for the seminar.

Wiley Rein has one of the premier election law practices in the country, recognized by Chambers USA as “the gold standard in this business.” Led by Mr. Baran and former FEC Chairman Michael E. Toner, the Group represents more than 300 U.S. and foreign corporations and trade associations, as well as individuals, elected officials, campaign committees, political party committees, and other political organizations.