Marc Elias is the chair of the Perkins Coie Political Law practice. His practice focuses on representing public officials, candidates, parties, corporations, tax-exempt organizations and Political Action Committees (PACs) in connection with campaign finance, governmental ethics, lobbying disclosure, and white-collar criminal defense matters. His clients include numerous Fortune 500 corporations, national non-profit organizations, lobbying firms, Am Law 100 law firms, prominent individuals, candidates and campaigns.
Marc is a nationally recognized authority in the Federal Election Campaign Act, the Lobbying Disclosure Act, the Ethics in Government Act, the Foreign Agents Registration Act, congressional and executive branch ethics and gift rules, and federal and state pay-to-play laws and rules. He also advises and litigates claims under the Voting Rights Act, Help America Vote Act and National Voter Registration Act.
Marc’s clients include the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic Governors Associations and numerous U.S. senators and representatives and their campaigns. Marc also serves as general counsel to the National Democratic Redistricting Trust and has been involved in redistricting litigation in a number of states, including Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio, Virginia, Nevada and Minnesota.
Marc served as lead counsel for Senator Al Franken in the 2008 Minnesota Senate election recount and contest – the largest recount and contest in American history. He successfully argued the case before the Minnesota State Supreme Court that resulted in a unanimous decision affirming that Franken had received the highest number of votes legally cast in the 2008 general election for U.S. Senator.
In 2010 he successfully represented Governor Mark Dayton in the Minnesota Governor's recount, including a successful argument in the state Supreme Court. Marc represented Senator Maria Cantwell in connection with her 2000 recount, Senator Harry Reid in connection with his 1998 recount, and served as a consultant to the Senate Rules Committee during its consideration of the 1996 Louisiana Senate election contest. In 2010 he successfully represented Senator Robert Menendez in the New Jersey Supreme Court case invalidating the application of state recall statutes to U.S. Senators.
In 2004 Marc served as general counsel to the Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign. He served in that same capacity for Chris Dodd for President during the 2008 primary campaign.
Marc has represented numerous clients in public corruption and campaign finance matters before the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, and Offices of Independent Counsel. He has also represented clients before committees of both the House and Senate, as well as before federal agencies.
Named by Politico Magazine as one of the “50 Politicos to Watch” he is frequently quoted in political law matters by the national media and has spoken and written extensively about both politics and political law.
Marc teaches both law and political science. This spring he is teaching Advanced Election Law at William & Mary Law School. In the past, he has taught Modern Campaigns and Elections at Hamilton College and Post Election Litigation at William & Mary Law School. Marc is a member of the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Election Law as well as an adviser to two American Law Institute projects: Principles of Government Ethics and Principles of Election Law: Resolution of Election Disputes. He also co-chairs the bipartisan Committee to Modernize Voter Registration.
- Named by Washingtonian Magazine as a "Top Lawyer" for campaign finance and ethics and campaign and election law
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2008 - Present: Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Government Relations Practice
- Listed in Chambers USA as a leading political law attorney
- Listed in Washington D.C. Super Lawyers
- Listed by American Lawyer Media as "Top Rated Lawyer in Criminal Defense - White Collar," 2012
Experience
Political Law
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
General Counsel to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
National Democratic Redistricting Trust
General Counsel to national organization in charge of advancing Democratic congressional redistricting efforts following the 2010 census.
Kerry-Edwards 2004
General Counsel to 2004 Democratic presidential nominee.
Chris Dodd for President
General Counsel to 2008 Democratic presidential campaign.
Perez, et al. v. Perry, et al.
Represented Democratic voters in lawsuit over Texas congressional redistricting. 132 S.Ct. 934 (2012)
In re Senate Joint Resolution of Legislative Apportionment
Represented Democratic Party in state redistricting proceeding. 83 So.3d 597, Supreme Court of Florida (2012)
Hippert, et al. v. Ritchie, et al.
Represented Democratic voters in state redistricting proceeding. 813 NW 2d 374 (Minn. 2012)
Nevada State Democratic Party v. Nevada Republican Party
Represented state Democratic Party in lawsuit over special congressional election. 256 P.3d 1 (NV 2011)
In re 2010 Gubernatorial Election
Successfully argued Supreme Court case in connection with 2010 gubernatorial recount. 793 N.W.2d 256 (Minn. 2010)
Committee to Recall Robert Menendez from the Office of U.S. Senator v. Wells, et al.
Successfully argued case for Senator Menendez against constitutionality of recall under New Jersey's Uniform Recall Election Law. 7 A.3d 720 (NJ 2010)
In re Contest of General Election Held on Nov. 4, 2008
Obtained a unanimous decision affirming that Al Franken had received the highest number of votes legally cast in the 2008 general election for United States Senator and therefore was entitled to receive the certificate of election. Perkins Coie also represented Franken during the election, a six-week recount involving nearly three million ballots—the largest in American history, a seven-week trial, and multiple appearances before the Minnesota Supreme Court. 767 N.W.2d 453 (Minn. 2009).
Franken v. Pawlenty, et al.
Represented certified election winner in lawsuit to compel issuance of a certificate of election. 762 N.W.2d 558 (Minn. 2009)
Nader v. Democratic National Committee
Represented 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, John Kerry, in lawsuit over third party ballot access. 567 F.3d 692 (D.C. Cir. 2009)
Meng v. Schwartz, et al.
Represented national political party committees in shareholder derivatives action in Washington D.C. 48 Fed. Appx. 1 (D.C. Cir. 2002)
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee v. FEC
Represented national party committee in lawsuit to compel agency action. 139 F.3d 951, 329 U.S.App.D.C. 258 (1998)
Favors, et al. v. Cuomo, et al.
Represented Democratic voters in redistricting lawsuit. 11-cv-5632 (E.D.N.Y. March 19, 2012)
Guy, et al. v. Miller
Represented Democratic voters in redistricting lawsuit. 11-oc-00042-1B (Nev. Dist. Ct., Carson City Oct. 27, 2011)
Democratic Leadership Council Inc. v. United States of America
In a leading case regarding section 501(c)(4) organizations and political activity, successfully contested IRS determination that issues advocacy by individuals associated with a political party was incompatible with the terms of a 501(c)(4) "social welfare" exemption. 542 F.Supp.2d 63 (D.D.C. 2008).
Sykes v. FEC, et al.
Action challenging constitutionality of non-resident campaign contributions to Alaska Senate campaign. 335 F. Supp. 2d 84 (D.D.C. 2004)
FEC v. Friends of Congresswoman Jane Harman, et al.
Defense of FEC enforcement action alleging illegal use of corporate resources to raise money for a candidate. 59 F. Supp. 2d 1046 (C.D. Cal. 1999)
Forrester v. The New Jersey Democratic Party Inc., et al.
Successfully opposed emergency application for stay regarding U.S. Senate election in New Jersey. 537 U.S. 803 (2002)
Feinstein for Senate, FEC Advisory Opinion 2012-7
Obtained advisory opinion regarding the application of contribution limits where a treasurer embezzled campaign funds.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, FEC Advisory Opinion 2011-13
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding disclaimers for Internet solicitations, including on mobile Internet devices.
Majority PAC and House Majority PAC, FEC Advisory Opinion 2011-12
Successfully obtained advisory opinion permitting fundraising by Federal candidates and officeholders for independent expenditure-only committees (superpacs).
Facebook, FEC Advisory Opinion 2011-9
Represented leading social media company regarding the exemption from full disclaimer requirements of character-limited ads.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, FEC Advisory Opinion 2011-3
Successfully obtained advisory opinion permitting the use of recount fund for litigation expenses.
Robin Carnahan for Senate, FEC Advisory Opinion 2011-1
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding the establishment of a legal defense fund.
Google, FEC Advisory Opinion 2010-19
Represented leading Internet company in obtaining advisory opinion regarding the exemption from full disclaimer requirements of character-limited text ads.
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, FEC Advisory Opinion 2010-18
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding the transfer or redesignation of excess recount funds to State party committee's general Federal account.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, FEC Advisory Opinion 2010-14
Successfully obtained advisory opinion permitting disbursements from national party committee's recount fund before general election for recount-related expenses.
Commonsense Ten, FEC Advisory Opinion 2010-11
Successfully obtained advisory opinion permitting superpac to accept unlimited corporate and union contributions to make independent expenditures.
National Democratic Redistricting Trust, FEC Advisory Opinion 2010-3
Successfully obtained advisory opinion permitting fundraising by Federal candidates and officeholders for redistricting trust.
Nevada State Democratic Party, FEC Advisory Opinion 2010-1
Sought advisory opinion regarding the application of the exemption for the cost of campaign materials used in connection with volunteer activities on behalf of a party's presumptive nominees.
TechNet, FEC Advisory Opinion 2009-30
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding corporate payments for outside fundraising consultants.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, FEC Advisory Opinion 2009-22
Obtained advisory opinion regarding filing Lobbyist Bundling Disclosure Reports on a quarterly basis.
Senator John Kerry, FEC Advisory Opinion 2009-11
Sought advisory opinion regarding campaign investment in documentary film.
Al Franken for U.S. Senate, FEC Advisory Opinion 2009-4
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding the funding of recount and contest activities.
Senator Frank Lautenberg, FEC Advisory Opinion 2008-22
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding repayment of personal loans by candidate.
Melothe, Inc., FEC Advisory Opinion 2008-14
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding application of media exemption to Internet TV station.
Senator Frank Lautenberg, FEC Advisory Opinion 2008-9
Sought advisory opinion regarding loan repayment provision of the “Millionaires’ Amendment.”
Democratic Party of Virginia, FEC Advisory Opinion 2008-6
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding slate card exemption for state parties.
Chris Dodd for President, FEC Advisory Opinion 2008-4
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding redesignation of contributions.
Chris Dodd for President, FEC Advisory Opinion 2007-30
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding online credit card contributions.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, FEC Advisory Opinion 2007-17
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding contributions in the form of bank checks.
Kerry-Edwards 2004, FEC Advisory Opinion 2007-09
Successfully obtained advisory opinion regarding payment of media compliance costs.
Michael King, FEC Advisory Opinion 2007-08
Represented individual seeking to establish charitable matching program for volunteer entertainers aiding candidates.
Senator Claire McCaskill, FEC Advisory Opinion 2007-1
Sought advisory opinion clarifying application of the "Millionaires' Amendment" to state committee debt retirement.
Senator Robert Casey, FEC Advisory Opinion 2006-38
Represented client in advisory opinion request regarding the disposition of state campaign funds.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, FEC Advisory Opinion 2006-24
Sought advisory opinion on options for financing recounts.
Washington Democratic State Central Committee, FEC Advisory Opinion 2006-11
Obtained clarification of so-called "hybrid" advertising.
Fired UP! LLC, FEC Advisory Opinion 2005-16
Represented new media company in successful effort to extend "media exemption" to bloggers.
Senator Christopher Dodd, FEC Advisory Opinion 2005-9
Sought advisory opinion clarifying "personal use" rules.
Senator Jon Corzine, FEC Advisory Opinion 2005-2
Represented Senator running for Governor on scope of soft money ban when officeholders seek state office.
Senator Ken Salazar, FEC Advisory Opinion 2004-45
Sought advisory opinion on proper interpretation of the "Millionaires' Amendment" refund provision.
Kerry-Edwards 2004, FEC Advisory Opinion 2004-35
Sought advisory opinion on options for financing recounts.
Senator Jon Corzine, FEC Advisory Opinion 2004-25
Clarified rights of elected officials to make soft money donations from personal funds.
Meetup Inc., FEC Advisory Opinion 2004-6
Represented web company in advisory opinion request regarding political uses of Meetup.com site.
Inez Tenenbaum, FEC Advisory Opinion 2003-32
Sought advisory opinion regarding the disposition of state campaign funds.
Senator Mark Dayton, FEC Advisory Opinion 2003-31
Sought advisory opinion clarifying application of "Millionaires' Amendment" to candidate advances.
Rory Reid, FEC Advisory Opinion 2003-10
Represented family member of elected official in defining scope of "soft money" fundraising ban.
Christopher Kennedy, FEC Matter Under Review 6196
Represented individual in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving pre-candidacy activity.
Friends of Mary Landrieu, FEC Matter Under Review 6234
Represented Senate campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving disgorgement of funds.
Fisher for Ohio, FEC Matter Under Review 6383
Represented Senate campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving candidate debates.
Blumenthal for Senate, FEC Matter Under Review 6410
Represented Senator and Senate campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving alleged illegal coordination.
Women Vote! and The American Worker, FEC Matter Under Review 6411
Represented outside groups in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving alleged illegal coordination.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, FEC Matter Under Review 6412
Represented Senator and Senate campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving candidate contribution to his own campaign.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Midwest Values PAC, FEC Matter Under Review 6445
Represented political committees in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving lawfulness of contributions.
Musgrove for U.S. Senate, FEC Matter Under Review 6044
Represented Senate candidate and campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving party issue ads.
Senator Jeff Merkley, FEC Matter Under Review 6037
Represented Senate candidate and campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving party issues ads.
Hagan Senate Committee, FEC Matter Under Review 6031
Represented Senate campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint alleging excessive campaign contributions.
Jim Pederson, FEC Matter Under Review 5878
Represented Senate candidate in successful dismissal of FEC complaint alleging improper use of non-federal funds.
Montanans for Tester, FEC Matter Under Review 5869
Represented campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving ballot initiative activity.
The Lantern Project, FEC Matter Under Review 5854
Represented issue group in successful dismissal of FEC complaint alleging that it acted as a political committee.
Kathleen Cannon, FEC Matter Under Review 5849
Represented former bank executive in FEC investigation.
Friends for Harry Reid, FEC Matter Under Review 5848
Represented campaign and Senator in successful dismissal of FEC complaint alleging personal use of campaign funds.
McCaskill for Missouri, FEC Matter Under Review 5837
Represented Senate campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving state party mail program.
Friends of Sherrod Brown, FEC Matter Under Review 5833
Represented Senate campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving state party mail program.
Jim Pederson, FEC Matter Under Review 5785
Represented Senate candidate in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving reporting of personal funds expenditures.
Senator Barack Obama, FEC Matter Under Review 5718
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Barbara Boxer, and Senator Diane Feinstein, FEC Matter Under Review 5711
Represented elected officials in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving endorsements on the campaign website.
Bob Casey for Pennsylvania Committee, FEC Matter Under Review 5679
Represented Senate campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving newspaper promotional advertising.
Tony Knowles for U.S. Senate, FEC Matter Under Review 5564, 5575 and 5576
Represented Senate campaign in successful dismissal of complaint involving Democratic coordinated campaign activities.
Clark Camper, FEC Matter Under Review 5390
Represented former Freddie Mac lobbyist in FEC enforcement action involving corporate contributions and expenditures.
Democratic Senate Majority PAC, Matter Under Review 5343
Represented client in successful dismissal of FEC complaint for alleged violation of Bipartisan Campaign Reform Acts's (BCRA's) prohibition on raising non-federal funds.
New York Senate 2000, FEC Matter Under Review 5225
Represented joint fundraising committee in FEC enforcement action.
Bill Nelson for U.S. Senate, Carnahan for Senate Committee, Robb for U.S. Senate and Stabenow for U.S. Senate, FEC Matter Under Review 5158
Represented Senate campaigns in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving endorsements by non-profit organization.
Dear for Congress, FEC Matter Under Review 4935
Represented House campaign in enforcement action concerning alleged contributions in the name of another.
Friends of Lois Capps, FEC Matter Under Review 4788
Represented House campaign in successful dismissal of FEC complaint involving party spending.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, FEC Matter Under Review 4516
Represented national party committee, Senate campaigns, and state parties in successful dismissal of complaint regarding party issue ad program.
Senator Chris Dodd, Senate Ethics Committee Investigation
Represented U.S. Senator in connection with Senate Ethics Committee investigation (2009).
Senator Robert Torricelli, Senate Ethics Committee Investigation
Represented Senator Robert Torricelli (NJ) in connection with Senate Ethics Committee investigation.
Senate Rules & Administration Committee Election Contest
Represented Senate Rules & Administration Committee in connection with 1996 contested Senate seat in Louisiana (1997).
Office of the Senate Democratic Leader
Consultant to the Office of Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle in connection with the investigation of alleged fundraising abuses during the 1996 Presidential campaign (1997).
Dayton 2010 Recount
Lead Recount lawyer for Governor Mark Dayton’s 2010 Minnesota Governor’s recount.
Franken 2008 Recount
Lead Recount lawyer for Senator Al Franken’s 2008 U.S. Senate recount.
Cantwell 2000 Recount
Counsel to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell's United States Senate recount.
Reid 1998 Recount
Counsel to U.S. Senator Harry Reid’s U.S. Senate recount.
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12.04.2014DNC Rolls Out Midterm Task ForceGeneral NewsThe announcement that Washington, D.C. partner Marc Elias has been appointed to the Democratic Victory Task Force, an initiative of the Democratic National Committee that aims to review recent elections and make suggestions moving forward, has been reported in Politico and many other national news outlets.
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12.04.2014DNC Chair Wasserman Schultz Announces Democratic Victory Task Force MembersGeneral NewsMarc Elias was named as a member of The Democratic Victory Task Force by DNC chair representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
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11.04.2014Runoffs in Louisiana and Georgia could unleash expensive new campaign for SenateGeneral News
Washington, D.C.’s Marc Elias is profiled in an article titled, “"Runoffs in Louisiana and Georgia could unleash expensive new campaign for Senate" in the November 4 edition of The Washington Post.
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10.31.2014Senate Democrats’ Super Lawyer Preps for OvertimeGeneral NewsWashington, D.C.,’s Marc Elias is profiled in an article titled, “Senate Democrats’ Super Lawyer Preps for Overtime,” in the October 31 edition of Roll Call.
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10.15.2014Arkansas Supreme Court Finds Voter ID Law Violates the State ConstitutionGeneral NewsThe Arkansas Supreme Court issued an opinion yesterday striking down the State’s voter ID law on the ground that it violates the State Constitution's voter qualification clause, which exclusively provides the requirements that a voter must meet in order to participate in elections in Arkansas.
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10.08.2014Redistricting Victory In VirginiaPress ReleasesA three-judge panel in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled today that the Commonwealth’s current congressional reapportionment plan violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and ordered the Virginia legislature to enact a remedial plan by no later than April 1, 2015.
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10.01.2014Major Victory For Voters’ Rights In North CarolinaPress ReleasesIn a major victory for voting rights, the Fourth Circuit today issued an order forbidding the State of North Carolina from implementing certain provisions in a law impeding voters rights in that state.
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08.18.2014Best Lawyers® 2015 Recognizes 221 Perkins Coie AttorneysPress ReleasesPerkins Coie is proud to announce that 221 of its attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2015 edition of The Best Lawyers In America®, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.
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07.11.2014Perkins Coie Wins Significant Victory in Florida Redistricting CasePress ReleasesIn a case with national political implications, Perkins Coie won a significant victory on behalf of Florida voters who challenged the lawfulness of Florida’s congressional voting map.
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07.05.2014Perkins Coie Partner Marc E. Elias Quoted in The New York TimesGeneral NewsMarc Elias was quoted in The New York Times in an article titled, "Students Joining Battle to Upend Laws on Voter ID," regarding how voter ID laws discriminate based on age.
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11.14.2013Perkins Coie Partner Marc Elias Referenced in Staunton NewsleaderGeneral NewsPerkins Coie Partner Marc Elias was referenced in a Staunton Newsleader article titled, "AG's race still too close to call," that discussed the Virginia attorney general election.
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11.13.2013Perkins Coie Partner Marc Elias Quoted in North Jefferson NewsGeneral NewsPerkins Coie Partner Marc Elias was quoted in a North Jefferson News article titled, "Twitter postings alert Va. vote-counters to errors in race." The article discusses the reaction from state officials to the tweets from a political analyst who called out the problems and discrepancies in the vote count for Virginia's Nov. 5 election via Twitter.
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08.21.2013Best Lawyers 2014 Recognizes 206 Perkins Coie AttorneysPress ReleasesPerkins Coie is proud to announce that 206 of its attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2014 edition of The Best Lawyers In America®.
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09.12.2012197 Perkins Coie Lawyers Recognized In 2013 Best LawyersPress ReleasesPerkins Coie is proud to announce that 197 of its attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Thirty-five attorneys were listed this year for the first time, representing a 22 percent increase in the number of Perkins Coie attorneys who appeared in the 2012 edition.
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08.30.2012Perkins Coie Successfully Represents Minority Voters in Texas Redistricting CasePress ReleasesPerkins Coie LLP successfully represented a group of African-American and Hispanic voters from Texas in a case involving discrimination in Texas voting maps [Texas v. United States, Civil Action No. 11-1303 (D.D.C. Aug. 28, 2012).].
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08.31.2011The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 163 Perkins Coie LawyersPress ReleasesPerkins Coie is proud to announce that 163 of its attorneys throughout the country were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® (Copyright 2011 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.).
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08.03.2011Marc Elias Named to Politico's "50 Politicos to Watch" ListGeneral News
The all-things political news outlet Politico recently named Washington, D.C. Political Law partner Marc Elias to its "50 Politicos to Watch" list. The annual special section focuses on "up and comers" in a variety of categories such as candidates, journalists, lawyers, fundraisers, consultants and others that will be taking center stage in the political arena in 2012.
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03.01.2011Perkins Coie Named Among Top Firms in Chambers USA 2011Press ReleasesPerkins Coie proudly announces that once again it has been ranked by Chambers & Partners, publishers of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, as a top law firm in the United States.
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08.13.2010The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 143 Perkins Coie LawyersPress Releases
Perkins Coie is proud to announce that 143 of its attorneys throughout the country were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America (Copyright 2010 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.).
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11.16.2009Perkins Coie Names Marc Elias as Political Law Group ChairPress ReleasesPerkins Coie announced today Marc Elias will become the new chair of the firm's Political Law Group. Elias succeeds Bob Bauer who was recently appointed White House Counsel.
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09.25.2009Elias Profiled in Minnesota Recount ArticleGeneral NewsA TwinCities.com article entitled "Overtime, the 2008 U.S. Senate Race, Chapter 3: How Franken's attorneys outmaneuvered Coleman's team to secure the Senate seat" chronicles the 6-month legal battle for the Minnesota U.S. Senate seat. The article describes how Franken attorneys and Perkins Coie partners Marc Elias and Kevin Hamilton "outfoxed, out-argued, and out-dataed" their opponents, resulting in a pronouncement by the Minnesota Supreme Court that Al Franken would be Minnesota's next Senator and reaffirming that "No Elias client had ever lost a recount or post-election court fight."
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09.14.2009Marc Elias Co-Authors Article on Voter Registration ModernizationNews ArticlesMarc Elias co-authored an article published in Roll Call entitled "Congress Can Better Voter Registration." The article addressed the problems with the current U.S. election voter registration system, and articulated a way to make the system work for all eligible American voters. "States should use an automated system to add voters to the registration rolls when they become eligible…," the article says. "If we do this, we can get rid of the paper, free up resources for state and local governments, provide strict protections against voter registration fraud and eliminate many of the frustrating problems that voters face on Election Day."
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08.03.2009The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 141 Perkins Coie LawyersPress ReleasesPerkins Coie is proud to announce that 141 of its attorneys across the country were selected for inclusion in the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers of America.
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07.07.2009Partners Marc Elias and Kevin Hamilton Recognized During Swearing in of Sen. Al FrankenGeneral NewsPartners Marc Elias and Kevin Hamilton, along with co-counsel David Lillehaug, received a rare show of recognition after the swearing in of firm client Sen. Al Franken today.
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06.20.2014"After McCutcheon"General PublicationsHarvard Law ReviewIn McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court struck down the “biennial aggregate limit” — a federal law limiting the total amount of money that an individual may contribute to federal candidates, party committees, and political action committees (“PACs”) in each two-year period. The per-candidate and per-committee limits (known as the “base limits”) remain in place, so the practical effect of McCutcheon is that individuals may now contribute the maximum amount to as many federal candidates, parties, and PACs as they please.
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01.28.2010Supreme Court Makes Landmark Decision on Political Advertising FundingUpdatesThe U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Citizens United v. FEC, a case examining the legality of a documentary film released in 2008 about Hillary Clinton’s candidacy for president. In a 5-4 ruling, the court struck down laws banning independent electoral and issue advocacy sponsored by nonprofit and for-profit corporations.
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10.03.2010 - 10.04.2010Pre-Election Media ForumSpeaking Engagements
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05.11.2010Coleman v. Franken: The Importance of Legal Narrative and the Rule of LawSpeaking Engagements
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04.01.2010Helping America Vote: The Past, Present, and Future of Election AdministrationSpeaking Engagements
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03.03.2010FEC Hearing on Coordinated Communications RulemakingGeneral Events
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02.04.2010The Impact of the Citizens United Decision on Federal ElectionsGeneral Events