Caleb P. Burns

Caleb focuses on advising participants in the political process on compliance with all aspects of political law, including campaign finance, government ethics, and lobbying. His clients include Fortune 50 corporations, trade associations and other business organizations, non-profit and tax exempt 501(c) advocacy organizations, federal officeholders, political candidates and committees, and private individuals. He has particular experience with the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA), as well as analogous state and local laws regulating campaign finance, government ethics, and lobbying. Caleb frequently represents clients subject to these laws in matters before the Federal Election Commission (FEC), other federal and state administrative agencies, and in federal and state courts.

Chambers USA ranks Caleb in Band 1 as one of the nation’s leading lawyers in Political Law and notes: “In a word, he is exceptional. Caleb is able to quickly distill issues to their essence, is a true expert as well as being creative and pragmatic to consistently provide reliable and ethical advice." In addition, Caleb has appeared as a nationally broadcast commentator on CBS, Fox News, and National Public Radio. He is regularly cited and quoted on political law topics in The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC News, Bloomberg Government, Time, Politico, The Huffington Post, The Daily Beast, Yahoo News, Salon, Roll Call, The Hill, Law360, The Washington Times, Washington Business Journal, and Washington Examiner.

Caleb also serves as a member of the Wiley Management Committee.

Representative Matters

• Provides regular counsel regarding compliance with campaign finance, government ethics, and lobbying laws.
• Litigates campaign finance cases in state and federal courts, notably the constitutional challenge to the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, McConnell v. FEC, 540 U.S. 93 (2003), and the Administrative Procedures Act challenge to FEC disclosure regulations, Center for Individual Freedom v. Van Hollen, No. 1:11-cv-00766 (D.C. Cir. Sept. 18, 2012). Files briefs amicus curiae in the Supreme Court of the United States in campaign finance cases including Citizens United v. FEC, 130 S. Ct. 876 (2010).
• Assists clients with responses to and appearances in connection with grand jury, congressional, Department of Justice (DOJ), FEC, and state Attorney General investigations.
• Serves as an expert witness in federal public corruption cases.
• Represents clients in FEC and state campaign finance enforcement proceedings, rulemakings, and advisory opinion requests.
• Represents clients before the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), the Office of Government Ethics, the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, and the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics in government ethics matters.
• Counsels members of Congress, Executive branch officials, Executive branch nominees, and others regarding compliance with ethics laws and rules, including financial statements and other disclosure obligations associated with confirmation proceedings. 
• Conducts legal compliance reviews and internal investigations in connection with campaign finance, government ethics, and lobbying activities. 

Professional Experience

• Faculty, Practising Law Institute (2006-2020, 2024)
• Lecturer, George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management (2012-2018)
• Commissioner, Town of Chevy Chase Ethics Commission (2016)
• Member, Lawyers for Bush-Cheney (2000), participated in the 2000 election recount efforts
• Outstanding Scholar Program, U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division (1996-1997)

Affiliations

• American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Member, Standing Committee on Election Law (2023-2024)
  • Vice-Chair, Section on Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice, Committee on Legislative Process & Lobbying (2007)

Recognitions

• Listed by Chambers USA as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Political Law (2012-2024)
• Named one of DC's "Super Lawyers" (2015-2020) and "Rising Stars" (2013-2014) for Legislative & Governmental Affairs and Political Law by Super Lawyers magazine
• Named by The Legal 500 US a "recommended lawyer" in Appellate: Courts of Appeal (2019)
• Named one of "Washington's Top Lawyers" (2015, 2017, 2018) by Washingtonian magazine