In addition to the human toll and economic hardship caused by the COVID crisis, initiative and referendum efforts have come to a virtual standstill. With people unable to visit grocery stores, farmers markets, street fairs or other places where petition circulators typically gather signatures, the stay-at-home orders have made it […]
Like you, we at the Sutton Law Firm are adjusting to the new work methods and norms during California’s stay-at-home order, and we want to assure you that we are here to help with your political and election law needs during these challenging times. With an eye toward compliance, we […]
The Sutton Law Firm would like to reassure our clients and colleagues that we are taking appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of our employees and communities, while at the same time continuing to provide the highest level of service to our clients. Though we had planned […]
Though the federal complaint against San Francisco City employee Mohammed Nuru alleges criminal activities, including official governmental action in exchange for luxury trips, home improvements and cash payments, the complaint should serve as a warning to lobbyists, political consultants, City contractors and others involved in local politics about the importance […]
Alert Re: Brad Hertz Television Interview on Wed., 1/29/20 Tomorrow night, Sutton Law Firm partner Brad Hertz will be featured on “Inside the Issues with Alex Cohen,” Spectrum’s nightly news show in Los Angeles. The show will cover local campaign finance, ethics and lobbying laws, including the recent ban on real estate […]
For your use and reference during the upcoming campaign season, materials relating to all of the ballot measures which will appear on the March 2020 San Francisco ballot, including the text of the proposed laws and the Digest prepared by the Ballot Simplification Committee, are attached in the links below. […]
A new Berkeley law effective January 1, 2020 will, for the first time, require local “lobbyists” to register and file quarterly lobbying reports. The City Council took over a year to develop the new law, which contains some of the broadest reporting requirements and strictest restrictions of any local lobbying […]
As the March 3, 2020 election season heats up, candidates and consultants should keep in mind that the law allows campaigns to challenge false, misleading, or improper information which will appear in the voter information pamphlet and/or on the ballot. These include candidate ballot designations, candidate statements, and arguments for […]
Last week, San Francisco’s voters passed Prop. F, which provides three new campaign finance rules. First, Prop. F will ban contributions to the Mayor, Supervisors, City Attorney and candidates for those offices from owners and high-level executives of real estate developers. Despite rumors to the contrary, the law will not […]
As you may recall, Los Angeles City Councilman Ryu and the City Ethics Commission (“CEC”) submitted competing proposals last spring to ban campaign contributions from real estate developers. After several hearings, the City Council asked the City Attorney’s office to draft ordinances based on the two proposals, and the ordinances […]