Megan Sowards Newton

Career

Megan Sowards Newton draws upon more than two decades of experience at the highest levels of government and politics providing clients with strategic political and election law counsel. This includes compliance with state and federal campaign finance and election laws, the Lobbying Disclosure Act, the Ethics in Government Act and the House and Senate ethics and gift rules, the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and pay-to-play laws. She has successfully represented clients before the Federal Election Commission and the Office of Government Ethics and the House and Senate Ethics Committees, has advised presidential nominees through the appointment and Senate confirmation process, including financial disclosure and divestiture, and has overseen recount preparations and litigation in battleground elections.

Megan helps corporations and trade associations build and maintain compliance programs for government affairs activities including lobbying and PAC (political action committee) operations. In addition, she counsels multimillion dollar tax-exempt issue advocacy groups on their proper formation and governance. A veteran of presidential campaigns, Megan also advises candidates and political committees on the full complement of political and election law issues from campaign formation to recount preparation and operations. Prior to law school, Megan served as a press secretary and speechwriter for three U.S. Senators and at the U.S. Department of State. She was recently appointed to the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Election Law.

In addition, Megan counsels corporations and trade associations regarding their engagement in the political process, including compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act, state lobbying laws, the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and pay-to-play laws. She has designed compliance programs for public companies and lobbying firms and has handled GAO audits of lobbying compliance. Prior to law school, Megan served as a press secretary and speechwriter for three U.S. Senators and at the U.S. Department of State.