Renowned Political Law Attorney Kenneth Gross Joins Akin Gump

(Washington, D.C.) – Akin Gump today announced that Kenneth Gross has joined the firm as a senior political law counsel and consultant in its public law and policy practice in Washington, D.C. Mr. Gross comes to the firm from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, where he served as head of its political law practice for more than three decades.

A nationally renowned authority on campaign finance, gift and gratuity rules, lobby registration provisions, and securities laws regulating political activity and municipal securities transactions, Mr. Gross counsels Fortune 500 corporations and trade associations.

He also advises elected officials and counsels senior-level political appointees facing Senate confirmation in matters related to compliance with government ethics laws. As former Associate General Counsel of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Mr. Gross headed the General Counsel’s Enforcement Division and supervised the legal staff charged with review of the FEC’s Audit Division.

“Ken’s deep understanding of campaign ethics and lobbying laws is an excellent complement to our industry-leading political law group,” said Melissa Laurenza, leader of Akin Gump’s political law practice, “In today’s political climate, our clients face both legal and reputational risk. Ken’s experience, combined with the breadth of our team’s experience, will help them navigate this constantly changing landscape.”

Mr. Gross is well known for his experience with matters involving the Ethics in Government Act, pay-to-play laws, and the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate ethics rules. He also has worked extensively with federal and state lobby registration laws—in particular, compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act and the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Additionally, he advises corporations on internal ethics guidelines and conducts internal investigations. Mr. Gross advises many corporations on their responses to shareholder proposals regarding disclosure of political and lobbying expenditures.

Mr. Gross serves as a board member for a number of organizations, including No Labels, the American Council of Young Political Leaders and the Public Affairs Council. He is also involved with the legal committee for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and co-chairs the Practicing Law Institute’s corporate political activities program. He has served on the faculties of The George Washington University and New York University. He often lectures at Georgetown University Law Center, Fordham University School of Law and American University.

“We are extremely pleased and fortunate to have Ken join our team,” said Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “Our clients will benefit greatly from his extensive knowledge and experience in the complexities of political law and government ethics compliance.”

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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