Ronald M. Jacobs
Ranked by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 as one of the nation’s leading attorneys in political law and nonprofit organizations, Ron is widely recognized for his experience in government compliance, crisis management, and regulatory strategy. He has developed political compliance programs for major corporations and leading associations that lobby and make political contributions nationwide. Clients value his ability to interpret and harmonize the often-contradictory rules that apply across jurisdictions.
Ron also co-edits Venable’s Political Law Briefing blog and leads the firm’s 2025 webinar series, Deregulation Nation, while contributing to the Transition Outlook series examining key policy shifts under the new presidential administration.
As outside general counsel to numerous nonprofit organizations, trade associations, and professional boards, Ron advises on all aspects of tax exemption, corporate governance, mergers, leadership transitions, and international operations. He helps clients form new entities, navigate leadership changes, and negotiate complex transactions. His work with associations of state regulatory boards includes advising on licensure matters, drafting amicus briefs, and developing model laws to strengthen professional regulation.
Ron leads clients through crises involving government investigations, litigation, and media exposure. He combines legal strategy with public communications insight to help clients manage high-stakes, high-visibility situations. His experience includes responding to enforcement actions, class actions, and congressional investigations, while coordinating multidisciplinary teams across Venable’s litigation, lobbying, and communications practices.
Clients rely on Ron for his steady judgment, candid counsel, and ability to craft plans that protect both legal standing and reputation.
Related Practices
Experience
Government Experience
- Field Representative, United States House of Representatives, Office of Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH)
Representative Matters
- Served as outside general counsel to congressional and Senate campaigns
- Led a legal team in the merger of two international associations with multiple tax-exempt and for-profit entities
- Assisted a nonprofit with an extensive media inquiry that resulted in the story being declined
- Represented witnesses before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, including document production and deposition defense
- Created one of the first super PACs supporting a presidential candidate in the 2012 primary
- Guided a charitable organization through a multinational reorganization and governance redesign
- Represented an association developing a self-regulatory framework for transparency in political advertising adopted by regulators
- Submitted amicus briefs to state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, on behalf of major associations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Digital Advertising Alliance
Insights
Credentials
Education
- J.D. high honors George Washington University Law School 2001
- Order of the Coif
- Articles editor, The George Washington Law Review
- Imogene Williford Constitutional Law Award
- B.A. cum laude The George Washington University 1997
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Professional Memberships and Activities
- Appointee, Standing Committee on Election Law, American Bar Association
- Member, Free Speech and Election Law Practice Group, Federalist Society
- Co-editor, Venable Political Law Briefing blog
- Member, Board of Directors, Human Rights Foundation (a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving democracy and protecting human rights around the world)
Recognition
- Super Lawyers
- Washington, DC, 2019 – 2023
- Rising Stars, Washington, DC, 2013 – 2015
- Chambers USA, Government: Political Law, Nationwide, 2011 – 2025
- Legal 500, Tax - Not-For-Profit (nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations), 2014 – 2015, 2020, 2022 – 2024
Community
Pro Bono
- Ron serves as pro bono counsel to the Warrior Canine Connection, a charity helping soldiers with traumatic brain injuries and psychological challenges train service dogs for veterans with physical disabilities. Successfully represented a former New York City Council candidate in a proceeding before the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board involving his use of government email