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Home - Blank Rome Government Relations LLC

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A former Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) Chairman, Scott Thomas focuses his political law practice on campaign finance, ethics, lobbying, and elections law. Scott is chair of the Policy &amp; Political Law practice group at Blank Rome LLP. His extensive background in the area of political law is a valuable resource in providing guidance and assurance to clients who need to interact with government officials or want to engage politically. His practice group also has significant experience in setting up nonprofit organizations and helping them with governance and tax law requirements as they engage in political or lobbying activities.With more than 30 years of experience in this field, Scott assesses current compliance issues and suggests best practices to ensure adherence to the rules. Given the ever-changing law and its interpretations by regulatory bodies, he provides up-to-date advice that enables businesses, associations, PACs, and others to work successfully with government representatives at the federal, state, or local level.Scott served as an FEC Commissioner from 1986 to 2006. He was appointed to the FEC for three consecutive terms by Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. He served as chairman in 1987, 1993, 1999, and 2005.From 1983 to 1986, Scott served as executive assistant to former FEC Commissioner Tom Harris, and from 1980 to 1983 as an FEC assistant general counsel for enforcement. He began his legal career as a staff attorney with the FEC in 1977.He also has general experience in areas of election law other than campaign finance, stemming from the FEC’s Office of Election Administration and his work with election officials here and abroad. Additionally, his involvement with the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws and various governmental bodies over the years has provided him with a breadth of knowledge on ethics and lobbying rules.According to Chambers USA, “Sources have reported that ‘his experience is incredible,’ and add: ‘As a past FEC chairman he wrote the regulations, so he understands them. He is very knowledgeable and his breadth of expertise is unmatched.’” Chambers quotes one client who says, “He's an incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, consummate professional who takes the time to really understand our organization and offer valuable advice.”

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Policy & Political Law

<ul>
<li>Assist a large civic engagement group and its sister organization with staying informed of election laws in many states, which is critical in light of constant changes in laws affecting registration and voting. Also assist with ongoing nonprofit organization governance and tax compliance needs.</li>
<li>Successfully assisted large corporation with FEC enforcement matter over use of company resources for charitable match program encouraging support of company PAC.</li>
<li>Successfully assisted large private company with FEC enforcement matter alleging coercive solicitation practices when raising funds for company PAC and various candidates.</li>
<li>Assist several large corporations with ongoing PAC disclosure and lobbying disclosure at federal and state levels.</li>
<li>Successfully assisted several companies in merger or spin-off transactions to assure PAC and lobbying disclosure aspects handled properly.</li>
<li>Assist several government contracting companies with “pay to play” law compliance. </li>
<li>Assist member of Congress with ethics inquiry before Office of Congressional Ethics and House Ethics Committee.</li>
<li>Assist media production company with Foreign Agent Registration Act compliance matters.</li>
<li>Successfully assisted nonprofit organization with recission of tax penalty for late filings.</li>
<li>Organized several nonprofit organizations, “superPACs,” and “hybrid PACs” and assured all federal and state filings and governance steps were handled properly.</li>
</ul>

Scott E. Thomas

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