Corporate Disclosure After Citizens United: Legislation, Regulation, and Shareholder Resolutions

Free Speech & Election Law Practice Group Teleforum

In the wake of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, there has been a concerted effort advocating more disclosure by corporations about their political and government relations spending.  Federal legislation on this subject has failed to advance in the last two sessions of Congress, but lawsuits and regulations are pending.  In addition, with corporate shareholder meeting season in full swing, there are a number of shareholder proposals seeking more disclosure of such spending.  What is the source of this push for disclosure?  What its goal?  How have entities targeted with disclosure complaints or shareholder resolutions reacted?

This teleforum will feature Wesley Bizzell, Assistant General Counsel, Altria Client Services, Inc., and Jason Torchinsky, a partner at Holtzman Vogel Josefiak, PLLC, and will be moderated by Douglas Chalmers, Jr., Managing Member of the Political Law Group.  Messrs. Torchinsky and Chalmers regularly represent corporations, PACs, nonprofit organizations, and trade associations in disclosure issues.  Mr. Bizzell oversees Altria’s political law compliance program, including its disclosures related to its government affairs activities.

Featuring:

• Mr. Wesley Bizzell, Assistant General Counsel, Government Affairs, Altria Client Services Inc.
• Mr. Jason Torchinsky, Partner, Holtzman Vogel Josefiak PLLC
• Moderator: Mr. Douglas Chalmers Jr., Managing Member, Political Law Group

In the wake of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, there has been a concerted effort advocating more disclosure by corporations about their political and government relations spending.  Federal legislation on this subject has failed to advance in the last two sessions of Congress, but lawsuits and regulations are pending.  In addition, with corporate shareholder meeting season in full swing, there are a number of shareholder proposals seeking more disclosure of such spending.  What is the source of this push for disclosure?  What its goal?  How have entities targeted with disclosure complaints or shareholder resolutions reacted?

This teleforum will feature Wesley Bizzell, Assistant General Counsel, Altria Client Services, Inc., and Jason Torchinsky, a partner at Holtzman Vogel Josefiak, PLLC, and will be moderated by Douglas Chalmers, Jr., Managing Member of the Political Law Group.  Messrs. Torchinsky and Chalmers regularly represent corporations, PACs, nonprofit organizations, and trade associations in disclosure issues.  Mr. Bizzell oversees Altria’s political law compliance program, including its disclosures related to its government affairs activities.

Featuring:

• Mr. Wesley Bizzell, Assistant General Counsel, Government Affairs, Altria Client Services Inc.
• Mr. Jason Torchinsky, Partner, Holtzman Vogel Josefiak PLLC
• Moderator: Mr. Douglas Chalmers Jr., Managing Member, Political Law Group

Call begins at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

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