PEOPLE

POLITICOM LEADERSHIP

JENNIE UNGER SKELTON

Jennie Skelton is a partner and co-founder of Politicom Law LLP. Ms. Skelton specializes in federal, state and local lobby, campaign, “pay-to-play,” gift, “revolving door” and ethics laws and compliance, as well as enforcement actions before federal, state and local ethics agencies.

As counsel, Jennie Skelton advises business entities and individuals on how to comply with contribution, lobby and ethics legal and compliance issues nationwide. Specifically, she assists entities and individuals with multistate needs regarding the development and administration of comprehensive lobby compliance programs, “pay-to-play” compliance programs, and corporate and PAC campaign contribution compliance at the federal, state and local level. Ms. Skelton provides counsel regarding state and local gift activity, conflicts of interests and “revolving door” issues. Ms. Skelton also assists companies with the filing of federal lobbying reports under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), as well as compliance with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act.

Prior to co-founding Politicom Law, Jennie Skelton was a partner in the political law practice of Nielsen Merksamer. Ms. Skelton also served as Enforcement Division counsel with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (“FPPC”). As former FPPC Counsel, Ms. Skelton has expertise in FPPC enforcement matters and complaints. Ms. Skelton has represented clients with enforcement matters before the FPPC, the Federal Election Commission, and numerous other state and local agencies across the country.

Ms. Skelton is a double graduate of the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, with a Juris Doctor/Certificate in Governmental Affairs and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Government and Public Policy. She received her BA in Political Science and Pre-Law from the University of the Pacific.

Ms. Skelton is a member of the bar in California, New York, Oregon and Washington State.

Representative Experience

Expertise in political law and ethics issues, including federal, state and local lobby, campaign finance, “pay-to-play,” gift, “revolving door” and ethics laws and compliance.
Represents public officials and entities with pending enforcement matters before federal, state and local ethics agencies.
Assists entities and individuals with the development and administration of comprehensive lobby compliance programs, “pay-to-play” compliance programs, and campaign contribution compliance (both corporate and PAC) at the federal, state and local level.
Counsels Fortune 500 business entities, non-profit organizations and individuals on contribution, lobby and ethics legal and compliance issues nationwide, including the preparation and filing of disclosure filings.
Provides counsel regarding state and local gift activity, conflicts of interests and “revolving door” issues.
Serves as counsel and professional treasurer for federal and state PACs, as well as ballot measure committees.
Assists companies and non-profit entities with legal counsel regarding the filing of federal lobbying reports under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), as well as compliance with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act.

Publications and Presentations

American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Section October 2020 “In the Know” Webinar, Panelist, “Lobbying without a Lobby: The Challenge of Government Relations During a Pandemic, Why You Need Help with Government, and Lobbying Ethics”
American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Section 2019 Spring Meeting, Moderator and Panelist, “Reflections on the 2018 Midterm Elections: How It Will Impact the Business Lawyer”
Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) 2018 Annual Conference, Panelist, “We’re All Atwitter: Understanding How Technology is Changing the Face of Lobbying Registration & Disclosure”

American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Section 2018 “In the Know” Webinar, Panelist, “It’s Always Election Season: Building Effective Campaign Finance and Pay-to-Play Compliance Programs”

American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Section August 2017 Annual Meeting, Moderator and Panelist, “Lobbying Rules, Advice and Tips for the New Administration”

Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) 2016 Annual Conference, Moderator, “Enforcement Update 2016: Election Year Developments in Investigations and Enforcements”
American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Section 2016 Annual Meeting, Panelist, “Elections Have Consequences: An Examination of the 2016 Elections, The Respective Candidates’ Post-Election Legislative Agendas and the Impact on You and Your Clients”
Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) 2015 Annual Conference, Moderator, “Enforcement Update 2015”
American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Section 2015 Annual Meeting, Panelist, “Political Law Update 2015”
Co-Editor, Practising Law Institute’s “Corporate Political Activities” Course Book, “State Lobby and Gift Laws” Chapter: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) 2014 Annual Conference, Moderator, “Lobbying in a Digital Age: Regulating Viral Advocacy”
Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) 2014 Annual Conference, Panelist, “What Can I Say? Disclosure Rules in Investigations and Enforcement Actions”
American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Section 2014 Annual Meeting, Panelist, “Campaign Finance Update for the Business Lawyer: 10 Avoidable Pitfalls to Ensure Political Contribution Compliance”
American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Section 2014 Spring Meeting, Panelist, “Scandal Scarred: Interacting with Government Officials and Employees? 10 Best Political Law Practices to Avoid an Ethics Scandal”
Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) 2013 Annual Conference , Moderator, “Ten Things You Wish You’d Known Before Starting an Investigation: Red Flags for Potential Campaign Finance, Lobby and Ethics Violations”
Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) 2012 Annual Conference, Moderator, “Rouge Treasurers: Case Studies of the Embezzlement of Campaign Funds”

DARRIN LIM

dlim@politicomlaw.com

Darrin Lim is a partner and co-founder of Politicom Law LLP. His practice exclusively focuses on political law, a niche area dedicated to complying with the patchwork of ethics, campaign finance and lobbying laws that exist throughout the United States.

Large corporations must comply with federal, state and local political laws. Based in California, Darrin Lim advises clients on how best to comply with these laws, working primarily with Fortune 500 companies and government contractors to develop comprehensive and efficient compliance programs to address their political and governmental interactions.

Darrin Lim has developed a reputation for his thorough, solution-focused style of practicing law. His approachable personality has also enabled him to foster close professional relationships with regulators throughout the country, which makes him acutely aware of nuances in the law and traps for the unwary.

Mr. Lim serves on the Steering Committee of the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (“COGEL”), a trade association for ethics agencies and regulators throughout North America. He previously served as COGEL’s Conference Co-Chair for several years. Lim also served on the Editorial Board of “Public Integrity,” an academic journal of the American Society for Public Administration, which focuses on ethics and leadership. Mr. Lim is an engaging public speaker and regularly presents at conferences and events throughout the country.

Prior to co-founding Politicom Law, Darrin Lim was a partner at Nielsen Merksamer. He began his career in politics as the Communications Director for a state legislator in both the California State Assembly and State Senate. Before that, he was in television news as the main anchor and reporter for a station in Southern California.

Mr. Lim graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science. He graduated with distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Mr. Lim is a member of the California State Bar.

Representative Experience

Ethics Strategist. Darrin Lim works with companies to craft governmental ethics policies that reflect their risk exposure and level of governmental engagement. He manages a large volume of requests concerning gifts to government officials and employees at all levels of government and delivers clear and actionable advice. As a former press secretary for a state legislator, Darrin Lim understands the damage of negative press and an ethics scandal. He works closely with clients to develop preemptive measures to avoid or mitigate enforcement action.

Campaign Finance Counsel. Darrin Lim has been working in campaign finance long before the major U.S. Supreme Court decisions of “Citizens United” and “McCutcheon” brought national attention to the area. As the longtime co-editor of the COGEL Blue Book: Campaign Finance Update, Darrin Lim presents an annual update on trends and developments in federal and state campaign finance issues for the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws. He works behind the scenes to develop multistate campaign finance compliance programs for clients with corporate and PAC contribution giving programs throughout the country. He also steers his clients from pitfalls by closely analyzing all contribution requests to ensure that his clients are not brought into a scandal and that all reporting obligations are satisfied.

Lobby Disclosure Advisor. Darrin Lim has a deep understanding and recall of federal and state mandates for public transparency and lobbyists. He balances this expertise with his appreciation for practical solutions to develop easy-to-follow lobby disclosure programs for clients to comply with lobbyist and lobbyist employer registration and reporting obligations. To track reportable activity, Politicom Law has developed a mobile-friendly, streamlined electronic questionnaire, which enables busy government affairs professionals to easily report governmental interactions throughout the U.S.

Publications and Presentations

Co-Editor, COGEL Blue Book: Campaign Finance Update | Council on Governmental Ethics Laws
Editorial Board of “Public Integrity,” an academic journal of the American Society for Public Administration
Interacting with Government? Best Practices to Avoid an Ethics Scandal | Clear Law Institute
Donors Beware: Four Red Flags for Political Activity Disguised as Charitable Donations | Conference Board Committee on Corporate Political Spending
Show Me the Money: State Campaign Finance Laws | The Council of State Governments
Super PAC: Expert Analysis | Council on Governmental Ethics Laws
Technology and Digital Media: Impacting Today’s Political Landscape | Heartland Governmental Ethics Conference

ERIN CHRISTINE LAMA

elama@politicomlaw.com

Erin Lama is a partner with Politicom Law LLP. Ms. Lama guides clients through federal, state and local lobby reporting, campaign finance, “pay-to-play,” governmental ethics and conflict of interest matters.

Ms. Lama plays a key role on the Politicom Law team with the development and administration of comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional political compliance programs, including compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) as well as with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 (HLOGA). In addition, Ms. Lama provides counsel and solutions with federal, state and local gift activity, conflicts of interest and “revolving door” issues.

Ms. Lama is the Co-Editor of the COGEL Blue Book: Enforcement Update, Council on Governmental Ethics Laws. Ms. Lama was the Co-Editor of the Practising Law Institute’s “Corporate Political Activities” Course Book, “Tax Considerations” Chapter from 2011 through 2016 and a contributor to the COGEL Blue Book: Campaign Finance Update, Council on Governmental Ethics Laws from 2010 through 2016.

Prior to joining Politicom Law LLP, Ms. Lama was an associate with Nielsen Merksamer. While pursuing her Juris Doctorate, she served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Justice Peter Siggins of the California Court of Appeals. Ms. Lama also worked for the Pacific Research Institute on policy issues and interned for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Ms. Lama graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.A. in Pre-Law and Political Science. She graduated with distinction from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Ms. Lama is a member of the bar in California and Texas.

Representative Experience

Assist clients with the design and implementation of lobby, campaign finance, and government ethics compliance programs customized to the organizational structure of the organization and tailored to integrated into company culture.
Expert on campaign finance laws at the state and local levels, including service as counsel and professional treasurer for federal and state PACs, as well as ballot measure committees.
Counsel business entities, non-profit organizations and individuals on “pay-to-play” law restrictions and disclosures, including the development of programs to ensure compliance.
Advise on government ethics laws at the federal, state and local level, including government gifting, conflicts of interest provisions and revolving door restrictions.
Provides actionable legal advice in timely and concise manner that reflects the nuances of political laws, assessment of options and associated risks.
Represent clients with political law enforcement matters and audits before the Federal Election Commission and California state and local ethics commissions, including the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

Publications and Presentations

Co-Editor, COGEL Blue Book: Enforcement Update, Council on Governmental Ethics Laws, 2016-present
American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Section 2018 Spring Meeting, Panelist, “Corporate Governance & Political Speech”
Clear Law Institute (2018), Panelist, “Do’s and Don’ts Regarding Federal Lobby Reporting Requirements”
Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) 2018 Annual Conference, Moderator, “Enforcement Update 2018: Emerging Trends in Investigations and Enforcements”
Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) 2017 Annual Conference, Moderator, “Enforcement Update 2017: What’s New in Investigations and Enforcements”
Contributor, COGEL Blue Book: Campaign Finance Update, Council on Governmental Ethics Laws, 2010 – 2016
Co-Editor, Practising Law Institute’s “Corporate Political Activities” Course Book, “Political Tax Considerations” Chapter: 2011 – 2016
Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) 2014 Annual Conference, Moderator, “If You Faced a House of Cards, What Would You Do?”

POLITICOM TEAM

GAVIN DEEB

Gavin Deeb is an associate attorney with Politicom Law LLP. Mr. Deeb advises clients on matters relating to federal, state, and local lobby reporting, campaign finance, governmental ethics, “pay-to-play,” and conflict of interests.

Prior to joining Politicom Law, Mr. Deeb was a Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom and served in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.

Mr. Deeb graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Before attending law school, he spent several years working for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and taught English as a foreign language in Spain. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Davis School of Law, where he interned with multiple government offices including the Governor’s Office, the California Office of the Attorney General, the California Office of the Inspector General, and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

Mr. Deeb is a member of the California State Bar.

BUDDY NORTON

Christopher “Buddy” Norton is an associate attorney with Politicom Law LLP. Mr. Norton advises clients on matters relating to federal, state, and local lobby reporting, campaign finance, governmental ethics, “pay-to-play,” and conflict of interests.

Prior to joining Politicom Law, Mr. Norton was a campaign professional in North Carolina focused on election administration and access.

Mr. Norton graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Before attending law school, he took on several legal support roles including in political compliance, Congress, and federal criminal defense. Mr. Norton received his Juris Doctorate from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University where he worked as a research assistant in administrative law in addition to positions at a Bay Area non-profit representing human trafficking victims, the Arizona Supreme Court, and several campaign roles throughout the country.

Mr. Norton is a member of the California State Bar.

SHEILA SCALLY*

sscally@politicomlaw.com
With 25 years as a manager of the compliance sections for two major California law firms that specialize in election law and campaign finance disclosure, Ms. Scally developed expertise in federal and state PAC administration and state and local lobby reporting. Ms. Scally has handled numerous multi-million dollar independent expenditure committees and state and local ballot measure campaigns. In addition, Ms. Scally’s experience includes preparing and filing IRS tax returns and filings for non-profit and political organizations.

Ms. Scally is a founding member and officer of the California Political Treasurers Association and publishes the Association’s newsletter. She served as a Technology Partner with the California Secretary of State during the design and implementation of California’s electronic campaign filing system.

Sheila Scally has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Government from California State University Sacramento.

JASON PRASAD*

Jason Prasad is a Political Reporting Analyst with Politicom Law LLP. Mr. Prasad manages a regulatory portfolio, which includes federal, state and local filings in the areas of lobbying, governmental ethics and campaign finance.

With nearly a decade of experience in California, Mr. Prasad has worked with numerous campaigns, legislative professionals, and investment advisors on meeting their reporting obligations with the Political Reform Act of 1974 and local political reporting obligations with cities and counties throughout California.

Prior to joining Politicom Law LLP, Mr. Prasad was the Political Compliance Manager with the Sutton Law Firm in San Francisco. He is a member of the California Political Treasurers Association.

Mr. Prasad has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from the University of California, Davis.

TOM HOWARD*

Tom Howard is a Political Reporting Analyst with Politicom Law LLP.

Mr. Howard has nearly a decade of experience in California and Federal campaign compliance, which includes work for Political Action Committees and Ballot Measure Committees, as well as experience in lobby filings in California and other jurisdictions, nationwide.

Prior to joining Politicom Law, Mr. Howard was the Business Operations Manager at Olson Hagel and Fishburn in Sacramento, where he was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Political Reporting Unit. Additionally, Mr. Howard was a National Compliance Coordinator at Nielsen Merksamer, where he was responsible for preparing and reviewing lobby report filings for jurisdictions across the nation.

Mr. Howard has a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Philosophy from the University of East Anglia (UK) and a Certificate in Advanced Accounting Proficiency from Santa Clara University. He is a member of California Political Treasurers Association.

CARRIE MCFADDEN*

Carrie McFadden is a Political Reporting Analyst with Politicom Law LLP.

After getting her start working for political campaigns at the federal, state, and local levels, Ms. McFadden transitioned to the compliance field in 2015. She has seven years of experience in assisting clients with their compliance obligations for PACs, Major Donors, and lobbying.

Prior to joining Politicom Law LLP, Ms. McFadden was the Political Compliance Manager with the Sutton Law Firm in San Francisco, where she oversaw all reporting requirements for the firm’s clientele. She is a member of the California Political Treasurers Association.

Ms. McFadden has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus in International Relations from the University of California, Los Angeles.

ABAGAIL PLAYER*

Abagail Player is a Political Reporting Analyst with Politicom Law LLP.

Prior to joining Politicom, Ms. Player worked at Perkins Coie LLP in Washington, D.C. as a Compliance Specialist in the Political Law Group.

Abagail graduated from Wesley College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

PATRICK CHONG*

Patrick Chong is a Political Reporting Analyst with Politicom Law LLP.

Prior to joining Politicom, Mr. Chong worked at Kwun Bhansali Lazarus as a Legal Assistant.

Mr. Chong is a Bay Area Native, and graduated from Colgate University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Asian Studies.

CHARLES CLAXTON*

Charles Claxton is a Political Reporting Analyst with Politicom Law LLP.

Prior to joining Politicom, Mr. Claxton studied Sociology with a minor in Psychology at San Francisco State University. With a passion for helping others, Mr. Claxton would assist different varieties of Housing Choice Voucher Tenants (Section 8).

After passing the Housing Choice Voucher Specialist exam, Mr. Claxton had tenures working with the San Francisco Housing Authority, as well as the Housing Authority of San Mateo County.

Mr. Claxton has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from San Francisco State University.

LUCAS SELLS*

Lucas Sells is a Political Reporting Analyst with Politicom Law LLP.

Prior to joining Politicom, Mr. Sells worked at Cornerstone Research as a Litigation Support Specialist, providing administrative support regarding expert testimony in all phases of commercial litigation and regulatory proceedings.

Mr. Sells has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

* Not a Member of the California State Bar.