Holtzman Vogel Baran Torchinsky & Josefiak, PLLC

Jill Holtzman Vogel

Jill Holtzman Vogel founded the firm in 2001. In addition to managing the firm, Jill specializes in ethics, campaign finance law, and tax-exempt organizations. Jill has spent her career counseling party committees, Presidential, Congressional and state candidates as well as donors, lobbyists, corporations and non-profits on complex regulatory and ethics rules. She is consistently recognized nationally as a top lawyer in her field, and she speaks frequently on issues involving corporations, non-profits, ethics and lobbying rules.

Jill previously held the position of Chief Counsel of the Republican National Committee, where she led the national party’s legal effort during the 2004 Presidential election, which included the party’s independent expenditure programs as well as legal efforts in all 50 states. Jill has also served as Deputy Counsel at the Department of Energy, working with the White House, the Energy Secretary, and other Federal Agencies to implement Energy initiatives. She also oversaw a comprehensive review of energy regulations. Jill also previously held the position of Deputy Counsel at the Republican National Committee, where she handled state and federal election law and party rules matters. Following the 2000 election, Jill represented the Bush-Cheney campaign as counsel in West Palm Beach and Osceola County during the Florida Presidential Recount. Jill served as staff counsel for the 1996 Republican National Convention in San Diego, California.

In 2007, Jill was elected to the Senate of Virginia, where she continues to represent the 27th Senate district. Jill is a co-founder of Holtzman Vogel Consulting, which provides government affairs management consulting to clients around the country.

Bar Admissions:

• Virginia
• Washington D.C.

Education:

• DePaul University School of Law, J.D.
• College of William and Mary, B.A.

Tom Josefiak

Tom Josefiak joined the firm in 2008. Tom previously served as the Chief Counsel of the RNC. He was responsible for the day-to-day legal operations of the RNC, including ensuring that all activities of the RNC, its officers and employees complied with applicable federal and state election laws. Tom served in various legal positions at the RNC from 1992 until 1995 when he became the Chief Counsel. In May of 2003, Tom was asked to serve as General Counsel for Bush-Cheney ’04, where he was responsible for all of the campaign’s legal matters. Following the 2004 election, he served as General Counsel to the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee. At the conclusion of the 2005 Inauguration, he returned to the RNC as Chief Counsel. Tom joined the firm after serving as Of Counsel at the Republican National Committee and Of Counsel to the 2008 Republican National Convention.

In 1985, President Ronald Reagan appointed Tom to a six-year term as Commissioner on the Federal Election Commission (FEC). He served as FEC Chairman during the 1988 presidential election and as Vice Chairman of the FEC and Chairman of the Finance Committee in 1987. Prior to his appointment as FEC Commissioner, Tom was Special Deputy to the Secretary of the Senate from 1981 to 1985, representing the Secretary as a full-time, Ex-Officio Commissioner at the FEC. As Special Counsel to the Minority of the Committee on House Administration from 1977 to 1979, he assisted Republican members in proposing and amending election law legislation, resulting in the passage of the 1979 amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act. He was Counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee from 1977 to 1980 and served as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Rep. Silvio Conte (R-Mass). Tom, a U.S. Army veteran, is a native of Adams, Mass., a graduate of Fairfield University in Connecticut and Georgetown University Law School.

Bar Admissions:

• Texas

Education:

• Georgetown University Law School, J.D.
• Fairfield University

Jason Torchinsky

Jason Torchinsky is a partner at Holtzman Vogel, PLLC, specializing in campaign finance, election law, lobbying disclosure and issue advocacy groups. Jason has been recognized by Chambers USA as one of the top “Government Law” attorneys in the country. He’s also been honored by Politico as one of the “50 Politicos to Watch,” and Campaigns and Elections Magazine named Jason a “Rising Star of Politics.”

In addition to his practice counseling clients on compliance with campaign finance, ethics laws, lobbying disclosure and election laws, Jason has served as lead counsel in a number of litigation matters dealing with First Amendment freedoms and election law and redistricting issues. Representative matters include Pursuing America’s Greatness v. Federal Election Commission (D.C. Circuit) (challenging an FEC regulation), Van Hollen v. Federal Election Commission (D.C. Circuit) (defending an FEC regulation), Martins v. Pidot (Second Circuit) (prevailing after a district court ordered a special primary), Edwards v. Vesilind (Va. Supreme Court) (success represented bi-partisan group of Senators in legislative privilege claim arising from a redistricting lawsuit) and Harris v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (U.S. Supreme Court) (representing Arizona’s Secretary of State). He has filed numerous amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court, including one on behalf of the NRSC and NRCC cited in the Court’s opinion in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission. Jason has also represented candidates across the country during post-election canvass and recount processes.

Jason is a frequent speaker on campaign finance and election law matters, including appearances before the National Conference of State Legislators, the Republican National Lawyers Association, the Federalist Society, and the American Association of Political Consultants. Additionally, Jason serves as an adjunct professor at the College of William and Mary School of Law, where he teaches about the IRS and political campaigns. He was recently named a Fellow of the American Bar Association Foundation.

Prior to joining the firm, Jason was Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the United States Department of Justice. During the 2004 election cycle, Jason served as Deputy General Counsel to Bush-Cheney ’04 and Deputy General Counsel to the 2005 Presidential Inaugural Committee.

He holds a B.A. in Government and Public Policy from the College of William and Mary and a J.D. from the College of William and Mary School of Law. He is a member of the Virginia Bar, the District of Columbia Bar, the Republican National Lawyers Association and the Federalist Society.

Bar Admissions:

• Virginia
• Washington D.C.

Education:

• College of William and Mary School of Law, J.D.
• College of William and Mary, B.A.

Jan Baran

Jan Baran is a Partner at Holtzman Vogel, PLLC. Baran has decades of experience as one of the nation’s preeminent election law attorneys. He advises clients on all aspects of election and political law including federal, state and local campaign finance laws, government ethics requirements, and lobbying laws.

Mr. Baran began his career as counsel and Assistant to the Chair of the Federal Election Commission, He went on to serve as General Counsel of the George H.W. Bush campaign for president and General Counsel of the Republican National Committee. Later, he served as a member of The President’s Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform, Special Recount Counsel to the Virginia Attorney General, and member of the Virginia Governor’s Commission on Government Finance Reform. He has been a member of international observer delegations to numerous elections around the world, including in the Philippines, Nicaragua, Hungary and Pakistan.

Baran is an experienced litigator who has argued numerous cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals.

He appears frequently as a legal commentator on television, radio, cable and in the print press. His articles have been published in law journals as well as in the New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today. Baran served as a legal analyst for ABC News during the 2000 Florida recount.

Mr. Baran is the author of the book, “The Election Law Primer for Corporations,” published by the American Bar Association, and now in its sixth edition. He co-chairs the Practising Law Institute’s annual Corporate Political Activities conference. Baran has received the top national ranking from Chambers USA every year since the original publication. Chambers has described Baran as “the dean of campaign finance.”

Baran received his Juris Doctor degree from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was a Patrick Wilson Scholar, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, where he currently serves as a Trustee on the Board of Trustees.

Education:

• Vanderbilt University School of Law, J.D.
• Ohio Wesleyan University, B.A.

Matthew Petersen

Matt Petersen is a former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) with two decades of high-level legal experience in political and administrative law. Matt—who also previously served in senior staff positions in both houses of Congress—is recognized nationally for his expertise in campaign finance, elections, lobbying, free speech, and government ethics.

Matt was nominated to the FEC by President George W. Bush in 2008 and served as its Chairman in 2010 and 2016 and its Vice Chairman in 2009, 2015, and 2019. His FEC tenure coincided with several court cases that significantly changed campaign finance law, most notably the Supreme Court’s opinion in Citizens United v. FEC. Consequently, Matt played a large role in shaping the post-Citizens United legal framework governing Super PACs (and candidate involvement in their fundraising activities) and corporate and union political speech.

Matt was also a strong advocate for protecting the Internet as a tool for political speech and democratic participation and ensuring that emerging technologies can continue to flourish without being stymied by unnecessary regulation. Finally, Matt helped draft new procedures affording enhanced rights and protections for individuals and organizations involved in FEC enforcement matters, audits, and advisory opinion requests.

Prior to joining the FEC, Matt served as Republican chief counsel to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration (2005-08) and as counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Administration (2002-05). He was extensively involved in the crafting of the Help America Vote Act of 2002—the sweeping election reform bill passed in the wake of the 2000 presidential recount—and was chief adviser to the Republican floor manager during the Senate debate on the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, the most recent comprehensive revision of federal lobbying and government ethics laws.

Matt received his J.D. in 1999 from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was a member of the Virginia Law Review, and graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in philosophy from Brigham Young University in 1996. He also received an A.S. with high honors from Utah Valley University.

Bar Admissions:

• Utah
• Washington D.C.

Education:

• University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1999
• Brigham Young University, B.A., 1996

William McGinley

William McGinley is a Partner at Holtzman Vogel, PLLC.  He has spent more than two decades in Washington, D.C. helping clients navigate the difficult intersection of law and politics.

Prior joining the Firm, McGinley served as Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary in the White House and was responsible for managing the Office of Cabinet Affairs (OCA).  As the former head of OCA, McGinley served as the primary liaison between the White House and the Cabinet of the United States. McGinley also organized the President’s Cabinet Meetings, communications, policy implementation, logistics between the White House and Cabinet Members, and helped manage issues affecting multiple departments and agencies.  

Prior to joining the Administration, McGinley was a partner in two international law firms where he represented Members of Congress, candidates, and corporations in investigations before the Office of Congressional Ethics and the House and Senate Ethics Committees, enforcement matters before the Federal Election Commission and state agencies, and in grand jury proceedings. He also advised corporations and trade associations regarding the design and implementation of political law compliance programs, and candidates, political party committees, and outside groups regarding election law issues such as the establishment and operation of independent expenditure units.

McGinley also has extensive experience with presidential campaigns.  He managed the delegate whip team during the 2016 Republican National Convention, served as counsel to the 2012 Convention Committee on Rules and Order of Business, and represented parties in delegate contests before the Credentials Committee at the 2012 Republican National Convention.  McGinley has played a significant role in the national convention delegate process since the 1996 Republican National Convention.

Education:

• The George Washington University Law School, J.D.
• University of California, B.A.

Alex Vogel

Alex Vogel has spent the last two decades counseling members of Congress, campaigns, corporations and trade associations on effective strategies for navigating Washington’s legal, regulatory, political and communications challenges. Prior to launching the firm, Alex served as Chief Counsel to Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist, M.D.

Prior to serving the Majority Leader, Alex served as General Counsel for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (“NRSC”). During Alex’s tenure, the NRSC waged an unprecedented campaign culminating in the historic recapture of the United States Senate majority by Republicans.

Before joining the Senatorial Committee, Alex served as Deputy Counsel of the Republican National Committee (“RNC”), where he was responsible for campaign finance and other political law issues. Specifically, Alex advised the Republican National Committee and its state party organizations on issues relating to federal, state and local election and campaign finance laws and regulations. During November and December of 2000, Alex served as counsel in the Presidential Recount, acting on behalf of the Bush-Cheney campaign in Florida and in Oregon.

Alex previously served as General Counsel to Vice President Dan Quayle during the Quayle 2000 presidential campaign and spent several years in private practice in the areas of telecommunications, election law and government ethics with a law firm based in Washington, D.C.

Bar Admissions:

• Washington D.C.
• California

Education:

• George Washington University Law School, J.D.
• University of California

Michael Bayes

Michael Bayes is a partner at Holtzman Vogel, PLLC, with a primary focus on campaign finance and election law, lobbying and ethics compliance, and tax-exempt organizations.

Before joining the firm in 2008, Michael served as Counsel and Executive Assistant to a Commissioner on the Federal Election Commission, and worked extensively on all aspects of the enforcement of federal campaign finance law. Prior to his time at the F.E.C., he served as Deputy Counsel at the Republican National Committee, where he advised on federal and state election law, contracting, employment, and intellectual property matters.

Bar Admissions:

• Virginia
• Washington D.C.

Education:

• George Washington University Law School, J.D.
• Vanderbilt University, B.A.

Timothy E. Kronquist

Tim provides service across the country to federal and state officeholders, candidates, leadership PACs, and other political committees (national party, traditional PACs, and Super PACs) in all aspects of campaign finance regulation, ethics compliance, and general operational matters. Currently he is the General Counsel to the political office of Speaker Paul Ryan. In his role as counsel to the 2012 Republican Vice President nominee Congressman Paul Ryan, Tim is experienced in the vetting process, financial disclosure matters, and general operational issues. He has the unique experience of handling dual candidacy matters in simultaneous Presidential and House of Representatives campaigns. Tim also provides counsel to corporations, trade associations, and advocacy groups regarding campaign finance compliance and lobbying regulations and disclosure.

Bar Admissions:

• Washington D.C.
• Wisconsin

Education:

• DePaul University College of Law, J.D.
• The American University, B.A.

Jessica Furst Johnson

Jessica Furst Johnson is a partner at Holtzman Vogel, PLLC, focusing her practice on political committees, campaign finance and election law, lobbying and ethics compliance, and tax-exempt organizations.

Jessica served as General Counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee in the 2010 and 2012 cycles, advising the national political party committee, Republican Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and candidates for U.S. House on matters related to Federal campaign finance law, House Ethics Rules, contract law, corporate law, and intellectual property regulations. She also created and managed the Volunteer Attorney Network, training attorneys for Election Day operations and post-election activity. During the 2014 and 2016 cycles, Jessica continued as General Counsel, while also serving the committee in a managerial and strategic role as Deputy Executive Director. In 2016, Jessica was selected as NRCC Independent Expenditure Director, managing the NRCC’s paid efforts in 30+ congressional races, including polling and opinion research, broadcast, cable and radio messaging, and data-driven online efforts. Jessica lead a staff and vendor team of more than 80 people, and a budget exceeding $76 million.

Prior to her time at the NRCC, Jessica was an associate in a Washington, D.C. law firm, advising candidates, members of Congress and other elected officials, tax-exempt entities and political action committees on issues relating to Federal Election Commission compliance, House and Senate Ethics Rules, political strategy, and state lobbying law. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., Jessica was Communications Director to Congresswoman Katherine Harris’s successful 2002 and 2004 congressional campaigns in Sarasota, Florida.

Bar Admissions:

• Florida
• Virginia
• Washington D.C.
• Supreme Court of the United States of America

Education:

• University of Florida's Levin College of Law, J.D.
• University of Missouri-Columbia, B.A.

Steve Roberts

Steve Roberts is a Partner at the law firm of Holtzman Vogel, focusing his practice on lobbying compliance, campaign finance, and political committees. Mr. Roberts is passionate about maximizing the ability of the corporate and PAC community to engage in the political and policy space. His legal advice is tailored for his clients who have to “get to yes” to effectively pursue their policy and political goals, including Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, corporate PACs, non-profit corporations, charities, elected officials, political candidates and campaigns, national party committees, and individuals engaged in issues at the federal, state, and local level.

As part of his practice, Mr. Roberts advises clients on compliance strategies with federal, state and local lobbying laws, pay-to-play limitations, campaign finance restrictions and requirements, and gifts and entertainment limitations for government officials. In that role, Mr. Roberts works with donors, corporations and trade associations on the Federal Election Campaign Act and the impacts of court and agency decisions altering campaign finance laws, the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) and the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), as well as state and local corollary laws. Steve also assists corporate clients with establishing and forming corporate and trade association PACs, and provides guidance on best practices for success with those committees. Mr. Roberts routinely aids clients in responding to the Federal Election Commission on compliance, enforcement and advisory matters. Mr. Roberts has also prepared Senate, House, executive agency, and candidate financial disclosures ranking among the largest ever filed in the history of the Ethics in Government Act.

Mr. Roberts is a subject matter expert on a host of issues that are highly pertinent to corporations engaged in grassroots advocacy and political engagement, including lobbying compliance and political engagement in an age of social media, tax-exempt organizations as advocacy tools, peer-to-peer texting as a way to energize existing and potential grassroots supporters, corporate political giving, and FARA compliance strategies. As a former registered lobbyist himself, he knows how to guide clients to strategies that are compliant and effective.

Bar Admissions:

• Virginia
• Washington D.C.

Education:

• University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.
• George Washington University, B.A.

Chris Winkelman

Chris Winkelman returns to Holtzman Vogel as Partner after serving as General Counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee for three election cycles. While at the NRCC, he advised Members of Congress on high-visibility ethics and campaign matters while directing staff and overseeing day-to-day compliance needs. In addition to matters of corporate law, he dedicated much of his tenure to redistricting litigation as well as cutting-edge political data and digital practices. Chris was previously a Senior Associate at Holtzman Vogel and returns to his practice focusing on campaign finance and election law, lobbying and ethics compliance, and tax-exempt organizations.

Chris began his legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. During his term, he handled appeals brought by veterans who were dissatisfied with the level of benefits awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Previously, Chris served at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Bar Admissions:

• Florida

Education:

• Stetson University College, J.D.
• Rollins College

Jonathan P. Lienhard

Jonathan has practiced law for over 21 years in the areas of commercial litigation, civil litigation, and white-collar criminal defense. He began his career as a Navy JAG Corps prosecutor in Norfolk, Virginia, and served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia. Jonathan has tried cases before juries and judges in federal court, state court, and military courts-martial. He has also argued cases before the Virginia Supreme Court. Jonathan holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, has been recognized as a “top lawyer” in Northern Virginia Magazine, and is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Bar Admissions:

• University of Notre Dame, J.D.
• University of Notre Dame, B.A.

Education:

• Virginia

Shawn Sheehy

Shawn Sheehy is a partner at Holtzman Vogel, PLLC. Shawn’s practice focuses on First Amendment, redistricting, and Telephone Consumer Protection Act litigation. In addition, Shawn advises clients on ethics and campaign finance and represents clients in response to FEC complaints, complaints from state regulators, and state attorneys general investigations.

Shawn recently assisted in the successful challenge of New York’s statutory contribution limits to independent expenditure committees, and also successfully challenged New York’s petition witness residency requirement. He has successfully defended political committees in discovery disputes in redistricting litigation and he has authored and co-authored multiple U.S. Supreme Court briefs. Shawn authored the winning brief at the Supreme Court of Virginia which led to a landmark decision defining the boundaries of the Speech or Debate Clause in Virginia’s Constitution.

Bar Admissions:

• Virginia 

Education:

• Catholic University Columbus School of Law, J.D.
• National Trial Advocacy College at the University of Virginia School of Law

Ed Wenger

Ed Wenger is a partner at Holtzman Vogel Josefiak Torchinsky PLLC. He focuses primarily on appellate litigation, critical motions practice, constitutional law, and trial practice. Over ten years of practice, Ed has presented oral argument before multiple federal and state appellate and trial courts; drafted and submitted scores of briefs for filing in state and federal appellate and trial courts around the country (including the Supreme Court of the United States); and handled every stage of federal and state trial litigation, from conducting depositions to cross-examining expert witnesses and presenting closing argument at trial.

Before joining Holtzman Vogel Josefiak Torchinsky PLLC, Ed twice represented Former Attorney General Edwin Meese III as an amicus curiae in cases pending before the Supreme Court of the United States. He also represented Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee, and the Florida House of Representatives in a variety of cases pending before state and federal courts. He was named a Florida appellate law “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers in 2021.

Before returning to private practice, Ed served as Florida’s Chief Deputy Solicitor General, where he helped oversee the Florida Attorney General’s civil appellate docket and coordinate the State’s practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. In addition to his litigation responsibilities, Ed also managed a team of Deputy Solicitors General, provided legal advice to both the Solicitor General and the Attorney General, and helped coordinate Florida’s approach to multi-state litigation.

Prior to his service to the State of Florida, Ed was the General Counsel to the West Virginia Attorney General, where, among other things, he litigated cases arising from the opioid crisis and served as a liaison between the Attorney General’s Office and members of both the West Virginia Legislature and a variety of West Virginia State Agencies.

Early in his career, Ed was a litigator at a law firm in Washington, DC, where he was twice named an appellate law “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers. He also had the privilege of serving as a law clerk to two federal appellate judges—the Honorable Karen LeCraft Henderson of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and the Honorable Edward C. Prado of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Bar Admissions:

• New York
• Florida
• West Virginia
• Washington D.C.
• Supreme Court of the United States of America

Audra Bayes

Audra Bayes is Of Counsel at Holtzman Vogel, PLLC focusing her practice on campaign finance and election law, lobbying and ethics compliance, and tax-exempt organizations. She has experience in regulatory investigations, civil litigation, settlement negotiations, and compliance.

Audra served as counsel to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics where she advised Senators, Senate staff, and the general public on a variety of matters related to Senate ethics rules and regulations. She also served as an Acting Assistant General Counsel of Enforcement at the Federal Election Commission, and prior to that, counsel in the Enforcement Division of the Federal Election Commission. While at the FEC, she was counsel on high profile campaign finance investigations involving coordination with the Department of Justice and negotiated the highest, at the time, civil penalty the FEC had ever obtained from an individual. She also accompanied a Commissioner of the FEC to the Dominican Republic as part of an international election observation team and spoke to a group of Supreme Court Justices and Legislators from a former Soviet republic about U.S. campaign finance and election laws. Audra began her legal career as a litigation attorney at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP in Dallas, Texas where she was involved in national and international litigation and appeals.

Bar Admissions:

• Texas

Education:

• Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University, J.D.
• Southern Methodist University, B.A.

Phillip M. Gordon

Phillip Gordon is Of Counsel at Holtzman Vogel where his practice focuses primarily on the areas of voting rights, the First Amendment, redistricting, and other campaign finance and election-related matters. Mr. Gordon has authored major briefs on behalf of parties and amici at the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Court of Texas, and many of the United States Courts of Appeals.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Gordon served as associate counsel for the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Mr. Gordon holds a law degree from Baylor Law School where he received special distinction as a Leadership Scholar. While in law school, Mr. Gordon was the president of the Baylor Law chapter of the Federalist Society. In addition to his law degree, Mr. Gordon also holds a master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Austin. He is currently a member of the Federalist Society and the Republican National Lawyers Association.

Bar Admissions:

• Virginia
• Texas
• Washington D.C.
• Supreme Court of the United States of America

Christine Fort

Christine Fort is Of Counsel with Holtzman Vogel, PLLC, specializing in political committees, campaign finance and election law, lobbying and ethics compliance, and tax-exempt organizations.

Christine served as the Deputy General Counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee during the 2014 and 2016 election cycles, where she advised the committee, Republican Members of the U.S. House of Representations, and candidates for the U.S. House on matters of campaign finance, election law, and House Ethics compliance. She also assisted the NRCC’s 2014 Independent Expenditure Unit with legal compliance related to television, radio, and digital advertising in targeted races nationwide, and oversaw the successful 2014 recount of Martha McSally’s election in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District. Prior to joining the committee, she was Counsel to the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform under Chairman Darrell Issa, working to identify and highlight instances of government waste, fraud, and abuse through investigations and public hearings.

Building on her experience at the federal level, Christine headed west and served as the Associate General Counsel to the Arizona House of Representatives, where she advised the Speaker of the House on all legal matters before the chamber, including litigation challenging existing state laws, citizen-initiated ballot measures, human resources matters, and the development and enforcement of House Rules. At the Arizona House, Christine worked alongside Republican Members on campaign finance and election-related policy issues, assisting in the drafting and advancement of associated legislation. She also helped to advance the interests of the Arizona business community as Senior Policy Counsel at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, developing policy recommendations and advocacy plans for the 2016 legislative session, and facilitating the engagement of members in critical state campaigns.

Bar Admissions:

• Florida

Education:

• Florida State University College of Law, J.D.
• Florida State University

John Cycon

Prior to joining Holtzman Vogel, John was a senior associate at a large firm in New York City and the District of Columbia, where he represented companies, boards of directors, and individuals in various high stakes enforcement and litigation matters. During that time, John’s experience with complex financial transactions and multifaceted investigations helped clients successfully resolve cases with the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as well as civil lawsuits in state and federal courts. Before law school John was a New York City Teaching Fellow, where he taught special education students in a high needs school.

Bar Admissions:

• New York

Education:

• University of Iowa College of Law, J.D.
• University of Notre Dame, B.A.

Dennis W. Polio

Dennis Polio is an associate with the law firm Holtzman Vogel, PLLC. Dennis’s practice focuses on First Amendment, redistricting, and election-related litigation and appeals as well as lobbying, ethics, and tax-exempt organizations’ compliance. Dennis regularly co-authors amicus briefs and appellate briefs in the Supreme Court of the United States, the various federal courts of appeals, and state supreme courts. Dennis has also authored and co-authored several articles in academic journals and with the Congressional Research Service in the Library of Congress.

Prior to joining the firm, Dennis served as a law clerk to the Honorable Carmen E. Espinosa, Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, and worked in the Office of General Counsel for the Republican Governors Association in Washington, DC. Before law school, Dennis spent several years as a political consultant in Connecticut working with candidates and campaigns for local, state, and federal office.

Bar Admissions:

• Connecticut
• Washington D.C.

Education:

• Syracuse University College of Law, J.D.
• Fairfield University, B.A.

Elizabeth Ellington

Prior to joining the firm, Elizabeth served as a law clerk for Cause of Action Institute, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary. Before law school, Elizabeth interned for former Congressman Rodney Alexander in his Washington, D.C. office.

Elizabeth graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.A. in English. She earned her J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law. While in law school, she competed on behalf of her school in the American Bar Association Client Counseling Regional Competition and served as a research assistant on a published administrative law article. She is a member of the Virginia Bar and the Federalist Society.

Bar Admissions:

• Virginia

Education:

• Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D.
• Louisiana State University, B.A.

Andrew D. Watkins

Drew Watkins is an associate with Holtzman Vogel, PLLC, providing counsel in the areas of campaign finance and election law, lobbying and ethics compliance, and tax-exempt organizations.

Prior to joining the firm, Drew served as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph R. Goeke, Senior Judge of the United States Tax Court in Washington, D.C., and worked in the Office of General Counsel for the Governor of Kentucky, Matthew G. Bevin. While in law school, Drew served as a law clerk for the Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Commission and interned for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in his office in Washington, D.C.

Bar Admissions:

• Kentucky
• Washington D.C.
• Virginia

Education:

• University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D.
• University of Louisville, B.S.

Darby Grant

Darby is an associate with Holtzman Vogel, PLLC, providing counsel in the areas of campaign finance, election law, lobbying and ethics compliance, and tax-exempt organizations. She specializes her practice in advising political committees, corporations, and tax-exempt organizations on a variety of regulatory and political law matters. She has extensive experience in ethics and gifts rules, lobbying disclosure, charitable solicitation and professional fundraising compliance.

Darby served as Deputy General Counsel to the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 2020 election cycle where she advised the committee on matters of campaign finance, election law, and Senate ethics compliance. Previously, she served as an attorney for the Special Counsel in the Office of White House Counsel and as the Director of Gift Protocol where she established gift protocol and procedures for the White House. Before that she was associate counsel for the 58^th Presidential Inaugural Committee. She served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Clifford J. Proud, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, and a legal intern at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri. Prior to law school, she was awarded an Eisenhower Internship at the Republican National Committee and interned for U.S. Senator Jim Talent in his Washington, DC office. She has worked as an attorney for multiple government agencies and has worked on various political campaigns.

Bar Admissions:

• Missouri

Education:

• Saint Louis University School of Law, J.D.
• Saint Louis University, M.S.
• University of Rochester, B.A

Ken Daines

Ken is an associate in Holtzman Vogel’s litigation and compliance practices.  Ken’s practice focuses on redistricting, the First Amendment, and other election-related litigation and appeals, as well as campaign finance, government ethics, and lobbying disclosure.

Before joining the firm, Ken clerked for Judge Ryan D. Nelson on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Judge Dee V. Benson on the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah.  Prior to clerking, he practiced election law and government ethics at a large law firm in Washington, D.C.

Ken earned his J.D. from Stanford Law School and a B.A. in International Relations and Chinese, magna cum laude, from Brigham Young University.  While in law school, he worked as a student attorney for the Religious Liberty Clinic, interned at the U.S. Department of State, and served as Executive Vice-President for the Stanford Law chapter of the Federalist Society.  At BYU, he conducted campaign finance research at the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy and was a legislative intern in the Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Representative Howard “Buck” McKeon.

Ken enjoys spending time with his wife, two children, and their dog.  His interests also include traveling, board games, golfing, and skiing.

Bar Admissions:

• Maryland
• Washington D.C.

Education:

• Stanford Law School, J.D.
• Brigham Young University, B.A.

Dallin Holt

Dallin is an associate at Holtzman Vogel with a primary focus on redistricting, First Amendment, and election-related litigation and appeals.

Prior to joining the firm, Dallin worked as a litigation associate in Midland and Dallas, Texas, and also as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Waco, Texas. In these positions, Dallin tried over a hundred cases to final verdict/judgment. Before law school, Dallin spent several years as a political communications consultant working with candidates and campaigns for local, state, and federal office. He has also served as an intern for the George W. Bush White House, Governor Jon M. Huntsman, and the Utah Legislature.

Dallin holds degrees in American Studies (B.A.) from Brigham Young University and Law (J.D.) from Baylor Law School. While in law school, he was on the Dean’s List and served as an Associate and Executive Editor of the Baylor Law Review. Also, while in law school, Dallin served as a clerk to United States Magistrate Judge Jeffrey C. Manske of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Dallin is an avid BYU sports and Utah Jazz fan. He enjoys spending time with his wife and six children.

Bar Admissions:

• Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Education:

• Baylor Law School, J.D.
• Brigham Young University, B.A.

Andrew Pardue

Prior to joining the firm, Andrew served as a law clerk for the D.C. Criminal Code Reform Commission and the Office of the Virginia Attorney General Civil Litigation Division, Consumer Protection Section. He also interned in the chambers of Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leonard of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Before law school, Andrew worked as a public opinion research analyst at The Winston Group and interned in the Washington D.C. offices of Senator Thom Tillis and Representatives Renee Ellmers and George Holding.

Andrew graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in Government and a secondary concentration in Economics. He earned his J.D. from William & Mary Law School. While in law school, he served as Senior Notes Editor on the William & Mary Law Review and authored a published student note on congressional investigations of the executive branch. He also served as a Dean’s Associate and as a graduate research fellow with the William & Mary Center for the Study of Law and Markets.

Bar Admissions:

• Virginia

Education:

• William and Mary Law School, J.D.
• Harvard University, B.A.

Gary Perko

As Chambers & Partners recognized in its 2020 guide to top lawyers, Gary “is notable for his strength in handling a wide variety of environmental disputes,” and “[m]arket sources acknowledge him as ‘an excellent lawyer’ who is at ‘the top of his game.’”

Gary has counseled clients on compliance matters involving numerous state and federal environmental laws, and he has litigated environmental cases in both courts and administrative forums. Notably, since 1994, Gary has represented farmers within the Everglades Agricultural Area on environmental issues before federal courts, state courts, and state agencies. He has defended utility companies facing enforcement actions. He has sited numerous power plants and has represented utilities before Florida’s Public Service Commission. He also has handled several complex administrative cases. Most of Gary’s administrative cases required extensive expert testimony, and many of them involved important policy issues, particularly in the areas of environmental and energy policy.

Gary has extensive experience in civil litigation before both state and federal courts. These cases have centered on diverse subjects, including constitutional law, environmental regulation, public financing, and state taxation. Most recently, he has served on a team of lawyers representing Florida’s Secretary of State in a series of high-profile federal lawsuits challenging Florida’s election laws.

Bar Admissions:

• Florida

Education:

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D.
• Florida State University, B.A.

Mo Jazil

Chambers USA 2020 calls Mohammad “a very good thinker” with “a strong litigation practice.”  He represents clients in state and federal constitutional cases, election disputes, Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act rulemaking and enforcement cases, federal telecommunications matters, Everglades restoration, takings cases, pricing disputes, and general civil appeals. He has served as first chair in federal district court trials and state court evidentiary hearings; briefed and argued dispositive motions and appeals before the federal district courts, Florida’s intermediate appellate courts, the Florida Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; and briefed cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Since the summer of 2018, Mohammad continues to represent Florida’s Secretaries of State on election-related matters before the federal and state trial courts, the Florida Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He served as lead counsel for the Florida Secretary of State in federal cases filed during the 2018 recount for three statewide races. Of the nineteen federal cases filed against Florida’s Secretaries of State since the summer of 2018, where Mohammad served as lead counsel, seventeen cases were dismissed (two after reversal of the district court’s judgment after trial), and two cases settled.

Mohammad also represents the Florida House of Representatives on issues of statewide importance. His work for the House spans two speakerships on issues as varied as cannabis regulation and transportation policy.

Mohammad’s active litigation practice includes work on other matters as well.

Since 2009, Mohammad has represented farmers within the Everglades Agricultural Area on environmental issues before the federal courts, the state courts, and state agencies; this work has included extensive evidentiary development before federal district courts and the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, and briefing before the Eleventh Circuit and Florida appellate courts. Mohammad’s environmental representation has also included work for major mining companies in Clean Air Act enforcement matters and land use disputes, large municipal utilities in Clean Water Act enforcement matters, electric and wastewater utilities in federal and state rulemakings (including eight years of litigation and three trips to the Eleventh Circuit in the numeric nutrient criteria rulemaking under the Clean Water Act), and continuing work for municipal interests from eight southeastern states on the Waters of the United States rulemaking.

In addition to environmental litigation, among other things, Mohammad has represented both a local government and a telecommunications provider in litigation under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, a multinational oil company in litigation arising from allegations of price-gouging, a multinational automobile manufacturer in litigation arising from a tax dispute, a majority African-American city and city commissioners in defense of a Voting Rights Act claim, a father and his young son separated at the border under the Trump Administration’s immigration policies, an independent candidate for President of the United States during the 2016 election, and former U.S. Attorney General Ed Meese as an amicus curiae in a First Amendment case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mohammad remains committed to the local legal community. Since his 2018 appointment by then-Governor Scott, Mohammad has served on the First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission; he currently serves as Vice Chair of the First District JNC. In 2019, Chief Judge Walker of the Northern District of Florida also appointed Mohammad to the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel.

While he calls Tallahassee home, Mohammad is a proud triple Gator who roots for all things orange and blue. He encourages others in Tallahassee to do the same.

Bar Admissions:

• Florida
• Supreme Court of the United States of America
• S. Court of Appeals
• S. District Court

Education:

• University of Florida, J.D.
• University of Florida, B.A.
• University of Florida, B.A.

Gary Hunter

Gary maintains a broad governmental law practice with emphasis on state government affairs, land use entitlements, property rights advocacy and environmental issues.

In nearly three decades of practice in Florida, Gary has represented Florida’s largest landowners in complex land use strategic development, litigation, and large area planning. He is equally motivated and privileged to represent everyday landowners in protecting property rights from regulatory intrusion or securing needed entitlements. Gary’s experience includes counseling clients through the maze of the federal Superfund and hazardous waste programs with litigation of both cost recovery actions as well as private landowner suits resulting from the migration of pollutants beyond property boundaries. In addition to his land use and property rights expertise, Gary spends considerable hours with Florida’s policymakers, both in the capital and throughout the state advocating for legislative policy on behalf of large land interests, community developers, Florida timeshare industry, the world’s largest energy company, Florida agriculture, and international leader in the pharmaceutical industry and others.

Gary devotes his personal time to college sweetheart, Meredith, and their two adult children managing a timber form and serving on a variety of community boards. He has taken an active leadership role with the Florida bar where he served from 1996 – 2009 on the environmental and land use law section executive council, the last year as chair of that organization, on the 2nd judicial circuit nominating Commission from 2006 – 10, serving as chair in his final year, and presently on the 1st District Court for Appeals Nominating Commission.

Bar Admissions:

• Florida
• Georgia
• U.S. Supreme Court of the United States of America

Education:

• The University of Georgia College of Law, J.D.
• The University of Georgia, B.A.

Kent Safriet

From small claims to the U.S. Supreme Court, Kent has represented clients in a variety of forums.

Kent’s experience in both trial and appellate courts is diverse and varied: from assisting local Florida clients relating to beach and coastal issues, private property rights, takings, contract disputes, class action defense, toxic tort claims, and business litigation to challenging federal halibut fishing regulations in Alaska. Kent assists clients in a variety of trial or appellate cases. His goal is to use his experience to bring a fresh voice and perspective to every case.

Kent grew up in Columbia, South Carolina and moved to Tallahassee immediately after law school. For more than a decade, Kent has enjoyed the outdoor activities in the Florida Panhandle, including hunting, fishing, diving, and farming. During season, Kent coaches his son’s baseball team.

Bar Admissions:

• Florida
• South Carolina
• Washington D.C.
• U.S. Court of Appeals (11th Circuit)
• Supreme Court of the United States of America

Education:

• University of South Carolina, J.D.
• Clemson University, B.S.

Eileen Stuart

Eileen maintains a broad government and public affairs practice with emphasis on state and federal executive and legislative branch representation. She helps businesses and highly regulated industries devise comprehensive government and public affairs strategies to navigate complex regulatory environments, obtain and maintain license to operate, expand their reach and achieve key business objectives. Eileen’s approach is to form coalitions and garner allies in support of policy or political objectives, while formulating strategies to assist businesses in elevating corporate brand and reputation.

Most recently, Eileen served as Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs for The Mosaic Company, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of mineral fertilizers. In that role, she developed and executed strategic government advocacy plans, particularly regarding local, state and federal permitting, environmental, energy and tax issues. She also served as a primary voice and face for the company with state and federal policy makers and key external stakeholders, while crafting and directing the company’s local, state and federal political engagement strategy.

Eileen also served as Deputy Policy Director in the Executive Office of the Governor where she developed and managed multiple policy and appropriations initiatives for Governor Crist. In that role, she interacted with key leaders and staff of all executive branch agencies and was closely involved in the annual policy and budget priority setting process.

Eileen’s previous professional experience also includes roles as Deputy Political Director on a statewide gubernatorial campaign. She also served as a Legislative Fellow and worked in the Florida Senate Committee on Communication and Public Utilities, as well as serving as a Law Clerk in the Florida Public Service Commission’s Office of the General Counsel.

David Childs

David helps clients solve problems with government. Often the solutions involve successful modifications to Florida statutes and regulations. Other times it involves supporting budgetary items critical to a client’s interests or helping clients identify and pursue procurement opportunities. Over the past 15 years with Hopping Green and Sams, David has earned a reputation for forthrightness and an in depth understanding of water policy, the legislative process, and state administrative procedures.

David drafted and helped pass significant state legislation, including bills addressing essential state infrastructure (SB 7018, 2020), transmission line siting (HB 405, 2018), state assumption of the federal 404 dredge and fill permitting program (HB 7043, 2018), administrative procedures (HB 183 2016), and water quality credit trading (HB 713, 2013). He is also highly engaged in the Legislative appropriations process concerning issues such as agricultural research, the Blue Green Algae Task Force, and the Florida Water and Land Conservation Constitutional Amendment.

David was part of the government relations team who successfully opposed EPA’s development of numeric nutrient water quality criteria for Florida. This work involved Congressional engagement and advocating before the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality. Presently, David is a leading industry voice in Florida’s effort to assume the section 404 wetland permitting program from the Army Corps of Engineers.

David is a registered lobbyist for a number of businesses and industries, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Mosaic Fertilizer, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, University of Florida Foundation, and SAS Institute.

Prior to attending law school, David was a staff engineer with CH2M Hill. During this time, he ran a sanitary sewer inspection crew, which assessed sewers throughout Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Robert Volpe

Robert Volpe represents property owners and developers on land use and real estate development issues.  His practice focuses on disputes involving private property rights, complex real estate transactions, comprehensive planning, zoning, developments of regional impact, and other planned and large-scale developments.  Robert formerly served as Chair of the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Commission and Local Planning Agency.  Robert routinely presents on the legal aspects of land use and development including lectures at Florida State University in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.  As a compliment to his legal practice, Robert is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser with experience in the valuation of commercial and agricultural properties.

Bar Admissions:

• Florida
• S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
• S. District Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit

Education:

• Florida State University, J.D.
• Florida State University, B.S.

Sebastian Waisman

Bar Admissions:

• Virginia
• Washington
• D.C.
• California

Education:

• Boston College Law School
  
  • J.D.,
  • Honors: cum laude
• University of Chicago
  
  • A.B. 

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