Andrew G. Woodson

Andrew Woodson counsels political candidates, officeholders, corporations, super PACs, and other organizations in complying with state and federal campaign finance, ethics, and lobbying laws. Andrew was previously counsel to FEC Chairman Lee E. Goodman, served as legislative assistant to Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA), and worked at the national and Virginia Republican parties.   

Andrew is one of the country’s leading defense advocates before the FEC, having secured dozens of dismissals and negotiated settlements for some of America’s largest corporations, media enterprises, and political actors.  Andrew is also a frequent speaker on the intersection of law and technology, with a particular focus on the use of artificial intelligence in political campaigns, bitcoins and cryptocurrency in politics, and direct-to-candidate fundraising programs.  During election years, Andrew also reviews nearly $100 million in political spending for the firm’s business and political clients, advising on compliance with campaign finance, copyright, and defamation laws.  And Andrew has litigated some of the country’s most important campaign finance and lobbying-related cases over the past two decades.

Representative Matters

• Defends and assists clients in enforcement proceedings before the FEC, House Ethics Committee inquiries, and grand jury investigations.
• Counsels both established and start-up technology companies concerning their obligations under the campaign finance laws.
• Works with corporate clients to audit political activities and, when necessary, make sua sponte submissions to the FEC.
• Reviews political advertising for campaign finance compliance, potential defamation issues, intellectual property risks, and other concerns.
• Prepares advisory opinion request letters for clients seeking formal advice in complying with federal and state campaign finance laws.
• Represents clients in negotiations with the FEC's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) office.
• Counsels candidates running for federal office at all stages of the electoral process.

Professional Experience

• Counsel, Federal Election Commission, Office of Commissioner Lee E. Goodman (2013-2015)
• White House Intern, Office of the Counsel to the President (2003)
• Legal Clerk, Republican National Committee, Redistricting Division (2002)
• Legislative Assistant, Office of U.S. Representative Eric Cantor (2001)

Affiliations

• The Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL)
• Public Affairs Council (PAC)
• State Government Affairs Council (SGAC)
• The Federalist Society