Eric Criss is an independent scholar who recently published The Boss of New Orleans: Martin Behrman and Machine Politics in the Crescent City with the LSU Press. He taught advanced public policy at Florida State University, where he earned his PhD in history. Eric earned his MA in Government at John's Hopkins University and BA in Political Science at the University of Florida. Eric began his career with U.S. Senators Don Nickles of Oklahoma and Phil Gramm of Texas at the National Republican Senatorial Committee in Washington, D.C. He later served as staff member or consultant to Fortune 500 corporations, political parties, and presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial campaigns.
Judge, United States District Court for the District of Arizona
United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Ruth V. McGregor of the Arizona Supreme Court.
He entered private practice with the law firm of Brown & Bain P.A., which became the Phoenix office of Perkins Coie LLP. He later practiced at Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
From 2015-2018, Judge Liburdi served as General Counsel to Arizona Governor Douglas A. Ducey. Judge Liburdi provided legal advice to the Governor, advised on appointments to the state judiciary, directed litigation involving the state agencies, and worked with Arizona’s Congressional delegation on legal policy issues.
Immediately prior to his judicial appointment, Judge Liburdi was a shareholder at the international law firm of Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Judge Liburdi’s private sector practice included complex commercial litigation, antitrust, constitutional law, and political and election law.
Judge Liburdi has served as an adjunct professor of law at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
Judge Liburdi earned his Juris Doctorate from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University.
Partner, Lex Politico
Audrey Perry Martin is a national and California political law expert with nearly 20 years of experience. Her practice is focused on advising corporations, candidates, political action committees (PACs), political parties, and major campaign donors in the areas of political and election law.
Prior to joining The Gober Group, Audrey gained extensive knowledge and experience working at the Federal Election Commission, for Congress, a think tank, and at private law firms in Washington, D.C. and California. Audrey had previously worked as Deputy Campaign Manager and General Counsel for Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner’s 2010 California Gubernatorial race. She has extensive presidential election experience, serving as FEC counsel for McCain-Palin 2008, Deputy General Counsel for Romney for President in 2008, and as a consultant for Romney’s 2012 campaign. Audrey also worked as Legal Counsel to the Committee on House Administration of the U.S. House of Representatives, where she focused on issues such as HAVA implementation, election integrity, congressional ethics, and campaign finance.
Audrey has taught election law at Brigham Young University law school and serves as the Vice President of Judicial Affairs for the Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA). Audrey has appeared on numerous media outlets, including Fox News and NPR. Audrey is very active on social media and frequently posts about current political law issues on her blog, www.legallypolitical.com. She received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism from Brigham Young University.
Associate, Steptoe & Johnson LLP
Stephen Richer is the elected (Republican) Maricopa County Recorder. He is statutorily responsible for document recordation, voter registration, and early voting in Maricopa County, Arizona, which is home to 4.6 million residents and the second largest voting jurisdiction in the United States. Stephen previously worked as a business person and a transactional attorney. Stephen received his B.A. from Tulane University, his M.A. and J.D. from The University of Chicago, and he is completing his PhD at Arizona State University. Stephen was named “Arizonan of the Year” by The Arizona Republic in 2021, “Republican Politician of the Year” by The Phoenix New Times in 2021, “Public Lawyer of the Year” by the Maricopa County Bar Association in 2022, and "Leader of the Year, Government, 2023" by The Arizona Capitol Times.
Integrity or Interference?: Evaluating the Constitutionality of Georgia's Election Integrity Act
Eric Criss
Recent political earthquakes such as the assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump and President...
Panel Two: Do Citizens Still Trust the Democratic Process?
Michael T. Liburdi, Audrey Martin, Stephen I. Richer, Bradley Schrager
From the 1960s onward, election lawyers on the political left focused on securing and expanding...