Robert Lenhard

Robert Lenhard is a member of the firm’s Election & Political Law practice group and advises corporations, trade associations, not-for-profit organizations, and high-net-worth individuals on compliance with federal and state campaign finance, lobbying, and government ethics laws. Mr. Lenhard routinely assists clients in establishing and operating federal and state PACs, compliance programs associated with campaign finance and pay-to-play laws; advises advocacy groups and their donors; conducts compliance trainings and audits of federal and state lobbying and political programs; and counsels clients on compliance with congressional gift and travel rules. Prior to joining the firm in 2008, Mr. Lenhard served as Chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in 2007 and Vice Chairman of the agency in 2006, during which time the agency handled over 10 major rulemakings, had among its most productive years in enforcement and audit, and adopted several reforms to the enforcement process. Mr. Lenhard has also led the Presidential Transition Team that reviewed the FEC for the incoming Obama administration in 2008-2009. Before his service to the FEC, Mr. Lenhard provided legal advice to labor organizations active in the political process at the federal, state, and local levels. He represented clients in planning and implementing political strategies as well as appearing in matters before the Federal Election Commission and state regulatory agencies. Mr. Lenhard also was involved in litigation in the Florida trial and appellate courts over the counting of absentee ballots in Seminole County, Florida in 2000. REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS Provides ongoing political law compliance advice to Fortune 500 companies and trade associations. Represented Super-PACs, including Priorities USA Action, active in Presidential and Senate elections. Advised non-profit organizations and high-net-worth individuals in compliance related to political communications programs. Represented internet start-up in a successful FEC advisory opinion request regarding an online political giving program. Represented individuals and organizations in enforcement investigations related to foreign national contributions in US elections and excessive contributions by campaign donors. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE Federal Election Commission, Commissioner American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Associate General Counsel HONORS AND RANKINGS Chambers USA, Political Law Named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the “Top Lawyers in Washington for Election & Political Law.” Legal 500 US, Litigation - Supreme Court and Appellate PUBLICATIONS AND SPEECHES Mr. Lenhard testified before the Rules Committee of the United States House of Representatives on the effect of Citizens United v. FEC (February 3, 2010). Author, Introduction, "America Votes: A Guide to Modern Election Law and Voting Rights," American Bar Association, Section of State and Local Government Law, Benjamin E. Griffith, Editor (2008) Mr. Lenhard testified before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, the Honorable John McCain, Chairman on the legal status of political contributions by Indian tribes (February 8, 2006). Mr. Lenhard speaks frequently on campaign finance, lobbying disclosure and ethics law, including presentations sponsored by the American League of Lobbyists, the Public Affairs Council, the Practicing Law Institute, National Association of Business Political Action Committees, and the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA). Mr. Lenhard has appeared in press reports on issues related to campaign finance law, including CNN, the Washington Post, New York Times, NPR, Roll Call and The Hill. Mr. Lenhard has also spoken before international audiences, including presentations at the Global Electoral Organization Conference in 2007, the Korean Economic Institute, the American University’s program for Persian Gulf state officials, and before numerous International visitor forums at the FEC. Mr. Lenhard served as an election observer during the Ecuadorian elections in 2006. "The FEC Increases Individual Contribution Limits for 2013-2014," Covington E-Alert (2/11/2013), Co-Author "FEC Year in Review," Covington E-Alert (1/31/2013), Co-Author "An Update on Litigation over the Electioneering Communication Disclosure Rules," Covington E-Alert (5/1/2012), Co-Author