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Marc Elias is the chair of Perkins Coie’s 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 nonprofit organizations, lobbying firms, Am Law 100 law firms, prominent individuals, candidates and campaigns.
Marc is currently general counsel to Hillary for America, the presidential campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton. He served in the same role for John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign. Marc’s clients include the Democratic National Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Democratic Governors Associations and U.S. senators, governors, representatives and their campaigns.
A nationally recognized authority in the Federal Election Campaign Act, Lobbying Disclosure Act, Ethics in Government Act and Foreign Agents Registration Act, Marc is a preeminent counselor in the areas of 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 has litigated voting and campaign finance cases throughout the country in federal and state court. He has been involved in voting rights and/or redistricting litigation in a number of states, including Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, Nevada and Minnesota.
Elections, Recount and Campaign Counsel
Following the 2014 elections, Marc was appointed by DNC Chair Wasserman Schultz as a member of the Victory Task Force to review key components of the role of the Democratic Party–and related organizations—in recent elections and identify places where the party can strengthen and improve operations in future elections.
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, which 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 2013, Marc successfully represented Attorney General Mark Herring in the Virginia Attorney General’s recount. In 2010, he successfully represented Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton in the 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.
Marc has represented numerous clients in public corruption and campaign finance matters before the U.S. 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.
Political Law Leadership
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 has taught both law and political science, including “Post Election Litigation and Advanced Election Law” at William & Mary Law School and “Modern Campaigns and Elections” at Hamilton College. He is also the former co-chair of the bipartisan Committee to Modernize Voter Registration. Marc serves on 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.
“Election lawyer supreme”
- The Washington Post
“A dominant force in U.S. election law”
- Politico
“The Democrats’ go-to attorney … an indispensable figure in the party”
- CQ Roll Call
“The quick-talking, Twitter-savvy 45-year old New York native … is well-liked on both sides of the election law bar … and a regular presence at Federal Election Commission meetings.”
- Politico
- 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