Government Affairs

Election Law

Preti's Government Affairs Practice Group contains several of northern New England's most experienced Election Law attorneys. For decades, our team has been a leader in solving legal issues surrounding political campaigns and the election process. We have served as counsel to numerous high-profile presidential congressional, gubernatorial and legislative campaigns in addition to having represented political parties and political action committees (PACs) across the ideological spectrum.

Daniel Walker and our team of Election Law attorneys have represented political parties such as the Maine Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee on election and political law issues ranging from constitutional rights to state ethics violations.

We are actively involved in the following areas during the legislative cycle:

Campaign Committee and PAC Formation
Our election attorneys form campaign committees and political action committees (PACs) to ensure that early steps in our clients' campaigns are managed quickly and accurately to provide a solid basis for their political venture. Getting these processes right avoids potential controversies later.

Ballot Access
When political campaigns face uncertainty or strategic challenges caused by ballot access laws, our Election Law attorneys are ready to step in. We have represented national and state-level political parties with legal disputes pertaining to candidacy registration, signature gathering, petition rules and ballot access appeals. In 2010, Preti Flaherty successfully defended The Democratic National Committee and the Maine Democratic Party against former presidential candidate Ralph Nader by challenging his right to be on the ballot after inspecting his 2004 campaign petitions.

Campaign Finance and Compliance
Federal and state campaign fundraising reporting requirements have grown increasingly complicated over the last two decades. Preti Flaherty's Election Law attorneys understand the intricacies of complying with these regulations and work with clients to ensure that these procedures are completed accurately and on time throughout the campaign process.

Violation of Election Regulations
Campaign violations can be detrimental to a candidate or political party – both during and after the campaign process. When a campaign violates an election regulation, ethics law or disclosure law, it is critical to respond quickly. Our Election Law attorneys represent clients before state ethics commissions, elections law enforcement agencies, and if necessary, the court system, to defend our political clients' interests or keep the campaign on track.

Recount Law
Campaign victories are often contested when a losing candidate requests a recount. Preti Flaherty's Election attorneys have overseen dozens of recounts and have represented clients whose business initiatives have been challenged by opponents who demanded a referendum recount. On either side of the issue, we assertively protect our client's interests during these long, detail-oriented proceedings.

Choosing a campaign's counsel, whether for a discrete matter or for the entire campaign process, is a decisive factor in achieving success at the polls. Preti Flaherty's Election Law attorneys are skilled at guiding candidates, committees, political parties or PACs through the complex legal issues involved in an election season.

Firm Highlights

Publication

Helping Employers Navigate the New Independent Contractor Rule and Compliance Challenges

On March 11 th , the United States Department of Labor’s (DOL) new Independent Contractor Rule goes into effect.  As your organization readies itself for compliance, it’s imperative to scrutinize your independent contractor classifications...

Event

Sigmund Schutz to moderate panel at 36th Annual Media and the Law Seminar: Under Attack! Existential Threats to Journalism and Free Speech

From unlawful searches and seizures of newsrooms and highly contentious litigation to physical harassment and calls for violence online, journalists and news organizations are under attack like never before. At the 36 th Annual...

News

David Van Slyke Named to 2024 Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law

Preti Flaherty’s Managing Partner David Van Slyke has been recognized by Lawdragon as one of the top 500 environmental lawyers in the U.S. It’s the third time he has been named to this prestigious...

Publication

USCIS Announces H-1B Registration Period for FY2025: New “Beneficiary Centric” Registration Process and Increased Fees

USCIS has recently announced a series of changes that will impact the FY2025 H-1B registration system and cap filing season. H-1B Registration Period and Organizational Accounts As in prior years, under this process, prospective petitioners...

News

Benchmark Litigation Names Preti Flaherty 2024 “Maine Firm of the Year"

Benchmark Litigation has named Preti Flaherty as 2024 Litigation Firm of the Year in the State of Maine. Through extensive peer- and- client reviewed research, as well as analysis of casework; the Benchmark Awards...

News

Attorney Jeffrey Thaler Named to 2024 Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Energy Law

Preti Flaherty’s attorney Jeffrey Thaler has been recognized by  Lawdragon  as one of the top 500 Leaders in Energy Law. This is Jeff’s third time named to this prestigious list since the first publication...

Event

Accessing Police Misconduct Records

Preti’s Sigmund Schutz will be one of the Maine panelists in New England First Amendment Coalition’s Accessing Police Misconduct Records series. This series continues NEFAC’s freedom of information lessons and builds on the information...

News

Preti Flaherty Welcomes Trust and Estate Attorney Elise Salek to the Firm

Preti Flaherty is pleased to announce that Elise Salek has joined the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group. Practicing out of the firm’s Concord, New Hampshire office, Elise brings nearly three decades of experience...

Publication

Failure to Follow Your Contract's Notice Requirements Can be Costly

In Kinetic Systems, Inc. v. IPS-Integrated Projects Services, LLC et. al., No.: 20-cv-1125 (D.N.H. February 6, 2024), the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire granted summary judgment for a general contractor...

Publication

November 7, 2023 Election Results

Maine’s November 2023 statewide elections were exclusively referendum questions, four were citizen initiatives, and four were proposed amendments to the Maine Constitution. Of these, Questions 5, 7 and 8 were placed on the ballot...