Carol A. Laham

Carol is a trailblazer in the political law arena, possessing both public-sector and private-sector experience gives her a unique perspective when representing her clients. She advises corporations, trade associations, political groups and committees, candidates, PACs, media corporations, and individuals on federal and state campaign finance and election laws, government ethics, and lobbying laws. She is also an experienced litigator who regularly handles complex issues of political, constitutional, and administrative law.

Named in Chambers USA as one of the nation's leading practitioners in her field (Band 1), Carol is praised by clients saying that she "knows everything there is to know about political law" and is a "multidimensional thinker and practical adviser. She is always analytical and consistently demonstrates exceptional judgment." (2022). Carol has been a guest commentator on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CBC, and National Public Radio. She was regularly consulted for her expertise during the 2000 Bush-Gore recount and was a 2020 U.S. election coverage legal advisor for Sky News.

Representative Matters

• Litigates before the Supreme Court of the United States, numerous federal circuit and district courts, and state courts with respect to issues of election law, constitutional law, and administrative law. Supreme Court cases include FEC v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee (II); Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee v. FEC (I); and FEC v. Massachusetts Citizens for Life.
• Represents clients in enforcement actions, audits, and in obtaining Advisory Opinions from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), as well as numerous state election law, ethics, and lobbying commissions.
• Successfully obtained an FEC Advisory Opinion that created Super PACs.
• Represents one of the most prominent Super PACs on all aspects of their operation.
• Represented a major trade association in state campaign finance litigation.
• Represents clients before the House and Senate Ethics Committees, the Office of Congressional Ethics, the U.S. Department of Justice, and state agencies.
• Counsels clients on compliance with specific laws such as the Ethics in Government Act, House and Senate Ethics, state ethics laws, the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 and its state counterparts, and the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
• Counsels corporations with respect to federal and state pay-to-play statutes, regulations, and ordinances and with respect to procurement lobbying laws.
• Engages in extensive corporate and trade association training on campaign finance, ethics, and lobbying laws.

Professional Experience

• Legal Advisor, 2020 U.S. Election Coverage, Sky News
• Staff Attorney, Federal Election Commission, Appellate Litigation Team, Office of General Counsel (1984-1987)

Affiliations

• American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Standing Committee on Election Law (1998-2001), Advisory Commission (2001-2013)
  • Co-Chair and Vice Chair, Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, Committee on Election Law (1997-2000), Committee on International and Comparative Administrative Law (1994-1997)
• Secretary (2005-2006) and Steering Committee Member (2003-2006), The Council on Government Ethics Laws (COGEL)
• Public Affairs Council (PAC)
• State Government Affairs Council (SGAC)
• Women in Government Relations (WGR) 

Recognitions

• Named one of "Washington's Best Lawyers" (2011, 2013) and one of "Washington's Top Lawyers" (2007, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2018) by Washingtonian magazine; named to Washingtonian’s “Top Lawyers Hall of Fame” (2022)
• Listed by Chambers USA as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Political Law (2011, 2015-2024)
• Named by Lawdragon as one of "3000 Leading Lawyers in America" (2010-2011)
• Named one of DC's "Super Lawyers" for Political Law (2013) and Legislative & Governmental Affairs (2014-2020) by Super Lawyers magazine