News

Prominent Political Law Attorney Jim Kahl Joins Whiteford, Taylor & Preston's DC Office

Date: November 30, 2015

Washington, DC -- Whiteford Taylor & Preston announced today that nationally recognized political law attorney James A. Kahl has joined the firm and will reside in its Washington, DC, office.   Mr. Kahl joins Whiteford Taylor with significant experience in both the public and private sectors.

“We are delighted to welcome Jim,” said Martin Fletcher, Managing Partner of the Firm.  “The exceptional breadth of his experience in political law and his reputation as one of the country’s leading experts in this complex and increasingly challenging area substantially extend our capabilities for serving our clients.” 

Mr. Kahl represents corporations, trade associations, advocacy groups and tax-exempt organizations, as well as political action committees (PACs), ballot committees and other political committees, regarding federal and state campaign finance, lobbying, and government ethics laws and regulations.   He is a frequent speaker and author on political law issues.

Julie Dymowski, Managing Partner of the DC office, said, “Clients of all sizes who interact with or support public officials and candidates are subject to complex and confusing sets of laws and rules.  We believe that our clients will benefit greatly from Jim’s extensive political law expertise, combined with our existing campaign finance, nonprofit, and tax capabilities.”  

Legal advisor to numerous Fortune 100 and other companies, Mr. Kahl served as Deputy General Counsel of the Federal Election Commission from 2002 to 2007.  While at the FEC, he helped lead the 130-person Office of General Counsel in conducting investigations of potential violations of campaign finance laws, advising the FEC in connection with rulemakings and advisory opinions, overseeing FEC litigation in federal courts and counseling on issues concerning audits of PACs. 

In addition, Mr. Kahl has served as principal deputy to the General Counsel at the Small Business Administration, as well as the number two-ranking official at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, the agency responsible for enforcing whistleblower protection laws and the Hatch Act across the federal government.

"I am very excited to join the Whiteford team in Washington, DC,” said Jim Kahl. “With its strong capabilities in the tax-exempt, lobbying and government ethics compliance arenas, Whiteford provides the perfect platform to expand my political law practice and provide additional compliance services to the firm’s clients."


About Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP: The over 160 attorneys at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston are dedicated to offering a comprehensive range of business law and litigation service to regional, national and international clients. We deliver sophisticated, cost – effective legal services to innovative start-ups, middle market companies and global enterprises from our eleven offices in Maryland, D.C., Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan and Delaware.