Caleb P Burns

Practice Areas

Caleb focuses on advising participants in the political process on compliance with all aspects of political law, including campaign finance, government ethics, and lobbying. His clients include Fortune 50 corporations, trade associations and other business organizations, non-profit and tax exempt 501(c) advocacy organizations, federal officeholders, political candidates and committees, and private individuals. He has particular experience with the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA), as well as analogous state and local laws regulating campaign finance, government ethics, and lobbying. Caleb frequently represents clients subject to these laws in matters before the Federal Election Commission (FEC), other federal and state administrative agencies, and in federal and state courts.

Career

Faculty, Practising Law Institute (2006-2020)

Lecturer, George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management (2012-2018)

Commissioner, Town of Chevy Chase Ethics Commission (2016)

Member, Lawyers for Bush-Cheney (2000), participated in the 2000 election recount efforts

Outstanding Scholar Program, U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division (1996-1997)

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association (ABA)

Experience

Provides regular counsel regarding compliance with campaign finance, government ethics, and lobbying laws.

Litigates campaign finance cases in state and federal courts, notably the constitutional challenge to the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, McConnell v. FEC, 540 U.S. 93 (2003), and the Administrative Procedures Act challenge to FEC disclosure regulations, Center for Individual Freedom v. Van Hollen, No. 1:11-cv-00766 (D.C. Cir. Sept. 18, 2012).

Files briefs amicus curiae in the Supreme Court of the United States in campaign finance cases including Citizens United v. FEC, 130 S. Ct. 876 (2010).

Assists clients with responses to and appearances in connection with grand jury, congressional, Department of Justice (DOJ), FEC, and state Attorney General investigations.

Serves as an expert witness in federal public corruption cases.

Represents clients in FEC and state campaign finance enforcement proceedings, rulemakings, and advisory opinion requests.

Represents clients before the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), the Office of Government Ethics, the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, and the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics in government ethics matters.

Counsels members of Congress, Executive branch officials, Executive branch nominees, and others regarding compliance with ethics laws and rules, including financial statements and other disclosure obligations associated with confirmation proceedings.

Conducts legal compliance reviews and internal investigations in connection with campaign finance, government ethics, and lobbying activities.

Education