The Sutton Law Firm specializes in political and election law and litigation, representing businesses, individuals, candidates, ballot measures, PACs, and nonprofit organizations involved in the political and legislative processes on the local, state and national levels.  The firm seeks to help its clients achieve their political and legislative goals while avoiding legal pitfalls.

Practice Areas

Campaign-&-Election-Law

Campaign & Election Law

Providing legal representation to business entities, ballot measure committees, candidates, and others involved in state, local, and federal elections, including monitoring and advising on campaign contributions, independent expenditures, fundraising, and other political activities.

Campaign & Election Law

• Providing legal clearance for campaign contributions, fundraising activities, and other political activities of business entities, trade associations, nonprofit organizations and individuals involved in state, local and federal elections.

• Monitoring new campaign laws in cities and counties throughout California.

• Setting up internal compliance programs for government affairs departments of businesses and trade associations.

• Providing legal representation to state, local and federal candidates, including setting up campaign and officeholder committees, maintaining committee bank accounts, filing campaign reports, reviewing nomination papers, drafting and negotiating contracts with consultants and fundraisers, reviewing solicitations and campaign advertisements, etc.

• Acting as general counsel to ballot measure committees, including drafting initiatives, formatting initiative and referenda petitions, maintaining committee bank accounts, filing campaign reports and tax returns, drafting and negotiating contracts with consultants and fundraisers, reviewing disclaimers on campaign advertisements, etc.

• Setting up and operating state, local and federal PACs, “independent expenditure” committees and 527 organizations, including naming and disclaimer requirements.

• Counseling candidate and ballot measure campaigns about the post-election vote count process, recounts, election contests, etc.

• Representing candidates and ballot measure committees in lawsuits challenging voter information pamphlet materials and campaign communications.

• Representing candidates and ballot measure committees in lawsuits challenging the conduct of state and local elections.

• Representing elected officials and candidates in disputes over eligibility and residency.

• Bringing lawsuits challenging campaign finance laws and regulations on behalf of nonprofit organizations, citizens groups and others.

• Representing clients in enforcement proceedings before the Fair Political Practices Commission, Federal Election Commission and local ethics commissions regarding alleged violations of campaign and election laws.

READ MORE

Campaign & Election Law

• Providing legal clearance for campaign contributions, fundraising activities, and other political activities of business entities, trade associations, nonprofit organizations and individuals involved in state, local and federal elections.

• Monitoring new campaign laws in cities and counties throughout California.

• Setting up internal compliance programs for government affairs departments of businesses and trade associations.

• Providing legal representation to state, local and federal candidates, including setting up campaign and officeholder committees, maintaining committee bank accounts, filing campaign reports, reviewing nomination papers, drafting and negotiating contracts with consultants and fundraisers, reviewing solicitations and campaign advertisements, etc.

• Acting as general counsel to ballot measure committees, including drafting initiatives, formatting initiative and referenda petitions, maintaining committee bank accounts, filing campaign reports and tax returns, drafting and negotiating contracts with consultants and fundraisers, reviewing disclaimers on campaign advertisements, etc.

• Setting up and operating state, local and federal PACs, “independent expenditure” committees and 527 organizations, including naming and disclaimer requirements.

• Counseling candidate and ballot measure campaigns about the post-election vote count process, recounts, election contests, etc.

• Representing candidates and ballot measure committees in lawsuits challenging voter information pamphlet materials and campaign communications.

• Representing candidates and ballot measure committees in lawsuits challenging the conduct of state and local elections.

• Representing elected officials and candidates in disputes over eligibility and residency.

• Bringing lawsuits challenging campaign finance laws and regulations on behalf of nonprofit organizations, citizens groups and others.

• Representing clients in enforcement proceedings before the Fair Political Practices Commission, Federal Election Commission and local ethics commissions regarding alleged violations of campaign and election laws.

Government-Ethics-Law

Governmental Ethics Law

Advising elected and appointed officials, government employees, and others regarding conflicts of interest, Government Code section 1090, statements of economic interest, “revolving door” and gift restrictions, and other ethics law matters.

 

READ MORE

Governmental Ethics Law

• Advising elected officials, appointed commissioners and government employees whether they have a “conflict of interest” with respect to pending votes or other ethics issues, including potential violations of Government Code section 1090.

• Assisting elected officials, appointed commissioners and government employees in preparing their personal financial disclosure reports (FPPC Form 700).

• Advising businesses, nonprofits, lobbyists and individuals regarding state, local and federal restrictions on “gifts” to public officials, including rules regulating gifts to an agency, “behested donations,” etc.

• Counseling current and former public officials regarding “revolving door” prohibitions and restrictions after leaving public office.

• Representing clients in enforcement proceedings before the Fair Political Practices Commission, local ethics commissions, and other regulatory bodies regarding alleged violations of conflict of interest, gift and other ethics laws.

Governmental Ethics Law

• Advising elected officials, appointed commissioners and government employees whether they have a “conflict of interest” with respect to pending votes or other ethics issues, including potential violations of Government Code section 1090.

• Assisting elected officials, appointed commissioners and government employees in preparing their personal financial disclosure reports (FPPC Form 700).

• Advising businesses, nonprofits, lobbyists and individuals regarding state, local and federal restrictions on “gifts” to public officials, including rules regulating gifts to an agency, “behested donations,” etc.

• Counseling current and former public officials regarding “revolving door” prohibitions and restrictions after leaving public office.

• Representing clients in enforcement proceedings before the Fair Political Practices Commission, local ethics commissions, and other regulatory bodies regarding alleged violations of conflict of interest, gift and other ethics laws.

Lobbying-Law

Lobbying Law

Assisting businesses, trade associations, nonprofits, and others determine whether to register as “lobbyists” on the state, local, or federal levels, and whether and to what extent lobbying activities must be disclosed, as well as assisting with legal compliance under lobby laws.

 

READ MORE

Lobbying Law

• Advising businesses, trade associations and nonprofits whether they have to register as “lobbyists” on the state, local or federal levels, and whether and to what extent they have to disclose their lobbying activities.

• Monitoring new lobbying laws in cities and counties throughout California.

• Counseling lobbyists on restrictions on their political activities and their ability to entertain public officials.

• Drafting and negotiating lobbyist and lobbying firm contracts.

• Advising investment firms which seek investments from CalPERS, CalSTRS or local retirement boards whether they have to register as “placement agents.”

• Representing clients in enforcement proceedings before the Fair Political Practices Commission and local ethics commissions regarding alleged violations of lobbying laws.

Lobbying Law

• Advising businesses, trade associations and nonprofits whether they have to register as “lobbyists” on the state, local or federal levels, and whether and to what extent they have to disclose their lobbying activities.

• Monitoring new lobbying laws in cities and counties throughout California.

• Counseling lobbyists on restrictions on their political activities and their ability to entertain public officials.

• Drafting and negotiating lobbyist and lobbying firm contracts.

• Advising investment firms which seek investments from CalPERS, CalSTRS or local retirement boards whether they have to register as “placement agents.”

• Representing clients in enforcement proceedings before the Fair Political Practices Commission and local ethics commissions regarding alleged violations of lobbying laws.

Litigation

Litigation

Representing candidates, committees, organizations, citizens’ groups, and municipalities in political, election, and municipal litigation and administrative law matters, including those regarding campaign finance regulation, initiatives, referenda, recall, lobbying disclosure and governmental ethics, election contests, candidate ballot designations or candidate statements, ballot arguments, ethics agency enforcement, and related matters.

READ MORE

Litigation

The Sutton Law Firm has an active election law and municipal litigation practice, representing candidates, political committees, organizations, citizen groups and municipalities in lawsuits regarding campaign finance regulation, ballot initiatives and referenda, lobbying disclosure and governmental ethics, and election contests. The litigation handled by the Sutton Law Firm includes:

• Representing state and local candidates in lawsuits regarding their ballot designations or candidate statements printed in the voter information pamphlet.

• Representing candidates and elected officials in legal challenges to their residency or other qualifications for holding office.

• Drafting and filing requests with government entities, officeholders, and employees under the state Public Records Act (PRA), federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and local “sunshine” laws (with the capability of doing so anonymously), and litigating to enforce such requests, where necessary.

• Advising clients regarding California’s open meeting law (the Ralph M. Brown Act), and litigating to enforce the Act, where necessary.

• Representing proponents and opponents of state and local ballot measures in lawsuits regarding ballot arguments, official analyses, and other materials printed in the voter information pamphlet.

• Representing ballot measure proponents and opponents in pre-election challenges to the validity of proposed ballot measures.

• Initiating post-election litigation on behalf of ballot measure proponents to enforce policies enacted by initiative, and to defend the legality of measures enacted by voters.

• Counseling candidate and ballot measure campaigns about the post-election vote count process, recounts, election contests, etc.

• Filing legal challenges to campaign finance laws and regulations, including disputes over contribution and expenditure limits, disclosure of campaign activities, and the establishment of political committees.

• Defending candidates, ballot measures, PACs, businesses, nonprofits and individuals in enforcement actions brought by the Fair Political Practices Commission, Federal Elections Commission, local ethics commissions and other regulatory bodies.

Litigation

The Sutton Law Firm has an active election law and municipal litigation practice, representing candidates, political committees, organizations, citizen groups and municipalities in lawsuits regarding campaign finance regulation, ballot initiatives and referenda, lobbying disclosure and governmental ethics, and election contests. The litigation handled by the Sutton Law Firm includes:

• Representing state and local candidates in lawsuits regarding their ballot designations or candidate statements printed in the voter information pamphlet.

• Representing candidates and elected officials in legal challenges to their residency or other qualifications for holding office.

• Drafting and filing requests with government entities, officeholders, and employees under the state Public Records Act (PRA), federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and local “sunshine” laws (with the capability of doing so anonymously), and litigating to enforce such requests, where necessary.

• Advising clients regarding California’s open meeting law (the Ralph M. Brown Act), and litigating to enforce the Act, where necessary.

• Representing proponents and opponents of state and local ballot measures in lawsuits regarding ballot arguments, official analyses, and other materials printed in the voter information pamphlet.

• Representing ballot measure proponents and opponents in pre-election challenges to the validity of proposed ballot measures.

• Initiating post-election litigation on behalf of ballot measure proponents to enforce policies enacted by initiative, and to defend the legality of measures enacted by voters.

• Counseling candidate and ballot measure campaigns about the post-election vote count process, recounts, election contests, etc.

• Filing legal challenges to campaign finance laws and regulations, including disputes over contribution and expenditure limits, disclosure of campaign activities, and the establishment of political committees.

• Defending candidates, ballot measures, PACs, businesses, nonprofits and individuals in enforcement actions brought by the Fair Political Practices Commission, Federal Elections Commission, local ethics commissions and other regulatory bodies.

Nonprofit-Law

Nonprofit Law

Establishing 501(c)(3), (c)(4), and (c)(6) nonprofit organizations, including preparing and submitting tax exempt applications and periodic filings to the IRS and Franchise Tax Board, providing guidance to nonprofit officers and directors regarding corporate governance issues, conflicts of interests, required corporate formalities, and related matters.

READ MORE

Nonprofit Law

• Setting up 501(c)(3), (c)(4) and (c)(6) nonprofit organizations, including preparing and submitting tax exempt applications to the IRS and Franchise Tax Board.

• Providing guidance to nonprofit officers and directors regarding corporate governance issues, conflicts of interests and required corporate formalities.

• Drafting bylaws.

• Counseling charities and other nonprofit organizations regarding restrictions on lobbying and political activities.

• Advising business improvement districts regarding their obligations under open meeting and public records laws and restrictions on their political activities.

Nonprofit Law

• Setting up 501(c)(3), (c)(4) and (c)(6) nonprofit organizations, including
preparing and submitting tax exempt applications to the IRS and Franchise Tax Board.

• Providing guidance to nonprofit officers and directors regarding corporate governance issues, conflicts of interests and required corporate formalities.

• Drafting bylaws, articles of incorporation, conflict of interest policies, and assisting with other corporate formalities.

• Counseling charities and other nonprofit organizations regarding restrictions on lobbying and political activities.

• Advising business improvement districts regarding their obligations under open meeting and public records laws and restrictions on their political activities.

Reporting-Services

Reporting Services

Providing comprehensive bookkeeping and reporting services, including establishing and staffing state, local and federal ballot measure and candidate committees, PACs, and independent expenditure committees, and preparing and filing all necessary campaign reports (including 10-day and 24-hour reports) and tax returns.

READ MORE

Reporting Services

The Sutton Law Firm has a staff of Political Compliance Specialists who provide comprehensive bookkeeping and reporting services, under the supervision of our attorneys. Reporting services offered by the Sutton Law Firm include:

• Setting up state, local and federal candidate committees, ballot measure committees, PACs and independent expenditure committees, and preparing and filing their campaign reports (including 10-day and 24-hour reports) and tax returns.

• Maintaining committee bank accounts, collecting and depositing contributions, paying committee expenses, and preparing regular financial statements, in full compliance with all applicable legal requirements.

• Reviewing committee records in preparation for audits by the Franchise Tax Board, Federal Elections Commission or local enforcement agencies.

• Preparing and filing state, local and federal lobbying disclosure reports.

• Preparing and filing state and federal tax returns for nonprofit organizations, as well as reports filed by nonprofits with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts and the Secretary of State.

Reporting Services

The Sutton Law Firm has a staff of Political Compliance Specialists which provide comprehensive bookkeeping and reporting services, under the supervision of our attorneys. Reporting services offered by the Sutton Law Firm include:

• Setting up state, local and federal candidate committees, ballot measure committees, PACs and independent expenditure committees, and preparing and filing their campaign reports (including 10-day and 24-hour reports) and tax returns.

• Maintaining committee bank accounts, collecting and depositing contributions, paying committee expenses, and preparing regular financial statements, in full compliance with all applicable legal requirements.

• Reviewing committee records in preparation for audits by the Franchise Tax Board, Federal Elections Commission or local enforcement agencies.

• Preparing and filing state, local and federal lobbying disclosure reports.

• Preparing and filing state and federal tax returns for nonprofit organizations, as well as reports filed by nonprofits with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts and the Secretary of State.

People

people

Jim Sutton

jimsutton_bio

Jim Sutton | Managing Partner

415/732-4501
jsutton@campaignlawyers.com

Jim Sutton is one of the leading political and election law attorneys in California. He has practiced for over 30 years, representing clients before the Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and San Jose Ethics Commissions, as well as the California Fair Political Practices Commission and the Federal Election Commission. He has argued numerous political and election law cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts, and taught Elections Law at Hastings College of the Law for several years. Jim graduated cum laude from Pomona College, and was Associate Managing Editor of the Law Review and a Moot Court finalist at Stanford Law School. Notable professional affiliations include Past President of the California Political Attorneys Association and former Member of the State Bar’s Nonprofit Corporation Committee. Notable current and past community involvement includes the Pomona College Alumni Association Board, Friends of the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley, Olympic Club, San Francisco Parks Alliance, Friends & Foundation of the San Francisco Public Library, Tennis Coalition of San Francisco, Enterprise for High School Students and San Francisco School Alliance Advisory Board.

hertz

Brad Hertz

bradleyhertz

Brad Hertz | Partner

818/593-2949
bhertz@campaignlawyers.com

Over the past 30 years, Brad Hertz, who manages the firm’s Los Angeles office, has handled numerous high-profile litigation matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts involving initiatives, referenda, recalls, ballot access matters, election contests, voter pamphlets, campaign finance, and First Amendment issues. A graduate of Brown University and Georgetown University Law Center, Brad joined the Sutton Law Firm after working at Reed & Davidson and Buchalter Nemer. Brad has also represented numerous clients in Federal Election Commission, Fair Political Practices Commission and local enforcement agency actions. For many years, Brad taught Election Law and Civil Procedure at Chapman University School of Law and served as a member of the Los Angeles County Superior Court mediation panel. Before practicing law, Brad worked as a political consultant, served as a delegate to a national Presidential Convention, and was a statewide communications director for a Presidential campaign. Brad was also an aide to a United States Senator in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. Brad is a Past President of the California Political Attorneys Association and a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Government Affairs Committee of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association. Brad is a frequent lecturer and author in the area of political and election law and has been a member of several non-profit boards.

sanders

Matthew Alvarez

alvarez

Matthew Alvarez | Partner

415/732-4502
malvarez@campaignlawyers.com

Matthew Alvarez is a Partner with the Sutton Law Firm. He regularly advises candidates, elected officials, political committees, corporations, unions, trade associations, non-profits, and individuals regarding campaign finance, lobbying, government ethics, and election law matters. Matthew serves as legal counsel and treasurer to political committees in a variety of jurisdictions, providing advice on campaign compliance and reporting matters.

Matthew is well-versed in the ballot measure process at the state and local levels, counseling clients through all stages from initial drafting, to ballot qualification, to post-election litigation. He also regularly guides clients through enforcement proceedings before state and local ethics commissions.

Matthew graduated from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law in May of 2014. While in law school, he externed for United States District Court Judge Michael Fitzgerald, worked as a graduate assistant for Professors Susan Estrich and Lee Epstein, and worked as a law clerk with the Sutton Law Firm. Matthew graduated from Boston College with a degree in finance and spent four years working in real estate finance and acquisitions in Los Angeles prior to attending law school.

Eli Love

Eli Love

Eli Love

Eli Love | Associate Attorney

415/732-7700×4513
elove@campaignlawyers.com

Eli Love is a San Francisco native who joined the Sutton Law Firm as an associate in 2022. He advises clients on lobbying, campaign finance and election law matters.

Eli earned his JD from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he received the Wiley M. Manuel Certificate for outstanding achievement in pro bono legal services, and earned his Bachelors degree in Politics from the University of San Francisco. Eli previously worked at a non-profit representing tenants before the San Francisco Rent Board and the San Francisco Housing Authority, and at a technology advocacy coalition focused on net neutrality, privacy and ride-sharing policy.

Chris Gembinski

Chris Gembinski | Director of Political Compliance

415/732-4507
cgembinski@campaignlawyers.com

Chris Gembinski serves as the firm’s Director of Political Compliance. He received his BA in Political Science from San Francisco State University, and has worked on field organizing and campaign management for several local and national political campaigns. He is currently the President of the Board for the Discover Polk Community Benefit District and a member of the Leadership SF class of 2024.

Tatum Zsorey

Tatum Zsorey

Tatum Zsorey

Tatum Zsorey | Political Compliance Specialist

415/732-4511
tzsorey@campaignlawyers.com

Tatum Zsorey joined the Sutton Law Firm in 2022 as a Political Compliance Specialist. She earned her Bachelors degree in International Relations from Illinois Wesleyan University, where she received the Technos International Prize for research she conducted in Asia and Eastern Europe.

Before joining the SLF team, Tatum served as an economic development volunteer with the Peace Corps in Kosovo, worked with AmeriCorps’ Rural Alliance for Dignity in rural Colorado, and at Atheneum Partners assisting on primary market research for global consulting firms.

mcfadden

Daniel Mooney

carissamcfadden

Daniel Mooney | Business Manager

415/732-4500
dmooney@campaignlawyers.com

Danny Mooney, Jr. is the Sutton Law Firm’s Business Manager and has been with the firm since August 2004. Danny attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. He started his career working for United Airlines, beginning as a Customer Service Representative and then being promoted to VIP Services at San Francisco Airport, which spanned 15 years. While at United Airlines, Danny received multiple local, state and regional service awards. He previously worked as the Office Manager for RocketCash LLC for 4 years, which was purchased by Coca Cola, before coming to the Sutton Law Firm.

mcfadden

Linda Chan

carissamcfadden

Linda Chan | Legal Secretary

415/732-4505
lchan@campaignlawyers.com

Linda Chan is the Sutton Law Firm’s Legal Secretary and has been with the firm since 2004.

Erika McDonald

Erika McDonald

Erika McDonald

Erika McDonald | Office Manager/Administrative Assistant

415/732-4508
EMcdonald@campaignlawyers.com

Erika McDonald is Office Manager at The Sutton Law Firm. She brings decades of experience working in communications and hospitality. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Radio/Television at San Francisco State University and her Paralegal Certification from San Francisco State University College of Extended Learning.

Passionate about civic engagement, Erika has volunteered on various political campaigns. She has lived in San Francisco for thirty years. Once active in the Parent Teacher Association at Buena Vista Horace Mann school, she is mother of two children enrolled in the San Francisco Unified School District.

COMMITMENT TO CLIENTS

The Sutton Law Firm seeks to help clients achieve their political and legislative goals while avoiding legal pitfalls. The firm is explicitly and emphatically nonpartisan, representing interest groups, candidates and ballot measures with a wide range of political viewpoints

The following standards guide the firm’s relationship with its clients:

• Maintain the highest quality of legal work, the highest level of professionalism and the highest ethical standards.

• Conduct thorough research and prepare well-written work product, translating the law into understandable guidelines and persuasive pleadings.

• Rather than responding to specific or narrow questions, ask clients to describe their ultimate goals, and then work with clients on identifying alternative ways to reach their goals with the fewest (if any) legal pitfalls.

• Take a pro-active stance vis-á-vis our clients’ legal and political needs by keeping them informed of significant new laws, upcoming filing deadlines and relevant court decisions, and by contacting them on a regular basis about any proposed activities that may require legal input.

• Advise clients about the risks associated with their proposed activities (including legal liabilities and press scrutiny), and help them decide whether the political benefits of the proposed actions outweigh these risks.

• Strive for 100% accurate public disclosure reports and 100% complete back-up documentation.

• Be responsive and accessible, especially during election seasons, reporting deadline periods, and litigation.

• Maintain complete confidentiality of all client information.

• Offer legal services on a pro bono basis to community-based nonprofits and political organizations.

Representative Sampling of Clients

Alexandria Real Estate

Bain Capital

California Resources Corporation

Glaser Weil

New Deal Advisers

San Diego County Building Industry Association

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan

Solutions San Jose

Southwest Strategies

Bay Area Housing Action Coalition

Carmel Partners

Hackman Capital Partners

Kilroy Realty

Los Angeles Central City Association

Panda Restaurant Group

Prologis

Webcor Builders

Alston & Bird

Berkeley Property Owners Association

County of San Bernardino

Latham & Watkins

Park & Velayos

Rancho Guejito

San Diego Padres

San Francisco Deputy Sheriff’s Association

Treasurer Fiona Ma

Oakland Zoo

CleanSweep Campaigns

Los Angeles Building Improvement District Coalition

San Francisco Building Owners & Managers Association

Sugerman Communications Group

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA)

Get in touch





    [recaptcha theme:dark size:compact]

    Contact Details

     

    BAY AREA

    information@campaignlawyers.com
    415.732.7700
    150 Post Street, Suite 405
    San Francisco, CA 94108

     

    SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OFFICE

    information@campaignlawyers.com
    818.593.2949
    22815 Ventura Blvd, #405
    Los Angeles, CA 91364

    Opportunities

    Law firm specializing in political and election law seeks associate attorney.

    ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

    Firm represents clients in compliance and litigation matters, and subject matters include campaign finance, First Amendment, lobbying, government ethics, etc. Firm’s primary office is in San Francisco and also has attorneys working in Los Angeles and San Diego.  Applicants must have strong research and writing skills, strong academic credentials, and experience in government or politics.  Lawyers with experience in other fields and new law school graduates welcome.  EOE.  E-mail cover letter and resume to dmooney@campaignlawyers.com; no telephone calls please.

    San Francisco Office – 150 Post Street, Suite 405 – San Francisco, CA 94108 – Tel: 415/732-7700 – Fax: 415/732-7701
    Los Angeles Office – 22815 Ventura Boulevard, #405 – Los Angeles, CA 91364 – Tel: 818/593-2949 – information@campaignlawyers.com