Jeff Hunter brings years of national campaign and public advocacy organization staff experience to his practice, augmenting legal analysis with a deep understanding of political organizations’ operational needs.  He advises clients on all aspects of federal and state political compliance law.  This includes helping clients to comply with campaign finance, lobbying disclosure, ethics and gift rule, pay-to-play, and Federal Communications Commission political advertising requirements.  Forming, reporting for, and maximizing PACs’ success are regular components of his campaign finance practice.  He advises businesses and nonprofits regarding IRS regulation of political activity and options regarding the benefits and restrictions of choosing one nonprofit form over others.

Mr. Hunter focuses on helping clients meet their organizational goals while maintaining full compliance.  In cases where the press or enforcement agencies question a client’s compliance, Mr. Hunter assists the client throughout the process to final resolution.  He is sensitive to clients’ need to avoid reputational damage from adverse publicity and assists clients in responding to press inquiries.  Mr. Hunter has represented Fortune 500 companies and leading trade associations successfully in federal and state political compliance agencies’ enforcement proceedings.

Mr. Hunter practiced for six years at another prestigious national law firm in Washington, DC before joining Venable.

Representative Clients

• Electric, gas, and telecommunication utilities
• Television, newspaper, and Internet media
• Power generation and electric transmission
• Medical and mental health care providers
• Lobbyists and lobbying firms
• Trade associations
• 501(c)(3) charitable organizations
• 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations

Significant Matters

• Implementing comprehensive federal and multistate political compliance systems;
• Implementing sophisticated PAC fundraising techniques for corporate PACs to maximize performance;
• Counseling clients in expanding their political activities through express advocacy communications permitted under the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision;
• Forming a Non-Governmental Organization and providing guidance regarding United Nations and U.S. Agency for International Development NGO accreditation;
• Advising U.S. subsidiaries of UK businesses and U.S. organizations that do business in the UK regarding the impact of the United Kingdom Bribery Act of 2010 on their U.S. operations;
• Advising New York-based clients regarding compliance with the New York Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011;
• Representing businesses and nonprofits successfully before state and U.S. Federal Election Commission, Federal Communications Commission, Clerk of the House, Secretary of the Senate, and Department of Justice in connection with regulatory compliance and enforcement proceedings.

Activities