The ethics and gifts laws restrict both the permissible forms and extent of gift-giving to public officials. They also restrict employees’ revolving door relationships between government and private entities. Accordingly, if your work brings you in contact with federal or state officials, you need to pay careful attention to these ethics and gift rules.
Caplin & Drysdale lawyers can help ensure that you know and comply with the applicable rules. We regularly counsel clients regarding the ethical interaction of corporations and trade associations with federal, state, and local public officials. We also represent clients before the House and Senate Ethics Committees, the Office of Government Ethics, and state and city agencies and boards. In addition, we provide specific advice regarding proposed activity that implicates ethics issues.
Representative Engagements
- A corporation has an active lobbying presence in Washington, D.C. and wishes to take certain employees of the legislative and executive branches to dinner and/or site visits.
Result: Caplin & Drysdale advises how the gift rules of the House, Senate, and Executive Branch differ and how the corporation may best accomplish its lobbying objectives without running afoul of the ethics rules.
- A trade association wishes to establish relationships with governors and other state executive branch officials throughout the United States.
Result: Caplin & Drysdale provides a tailored description of state executive ethics laws and provide suggestions on how its employees and corporate members may most effectively meet with these officials in compliance with state ethics laws.
- A corporation plans to hire a staff member from a key U.S. committee of Congress, and is concerned about restrictions on the person's contact with Congress.
Result: Caplin & Drysdale advises the corporation of the staff member’s post-employment restrictions and counsels the staff member on these restrictions.
Our Services:
- Provide training sessions for staff and other agents
- Develop guidebooks and handbooks
- Represent clients before federal, state, and local government ethics agencies
- Engage in regular telephone consultations
- Provide formal written advice
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