Stefan C. Passantino
FAX: 202.496.7756
Experience
Stefan C. Passantino has a nationwide practice and focuses on representing political figures, corporations and other political entities with respect to state and federal election law, campaign finance, lobbying law and ethics issues. He was recognized by Chambers USA 2010 as one of the leading political law attorneys in the nation and described as "extremely astute and responsive and has an incredible grasp of the subject matter." He maintains offices in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Passantino leads the firm's Political Law team in the publication of its Pay to Play blog. The blog is dedicated to helping readers monitoring the status of proposed pay to play legislation and is set to become a leading online community for analyses on the impacts of pay to play regulations on the state level in reference to lobbying, contributions and gifts. Please visit www.paytoplaylawblog.com for the latest information on this topic.
As head of MLA's Political Law team, some of his clients include former Speakers of the United States House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich and J. Dennis Hastert, as well as Congressman Roy Blunt, RNC Chairman Michael Steele, former Congressmen Bob Barr of Georgia and JC Watts of Oklahoma. In addition, Mr. Passantino serves as General Counsel to corporate entities formed by former Speaker of the House Gingrich and former Congressman Watts. Mr. Passantino has provided Congressional and Executive Branch ethics and lobbying training to Members of Congress, their staff, the Administration, and private corporations for over ten years.
Mr. Passantino also represents parties in complex litigation matters including matters relating to insurance claims handling, bad faith, coverage and tort liability. He represents some of the largest companies in the world in complex legal disputes including Zurich, CIGNA and ACE.
Prior to joining McKenna Long & Aldridge, Mr. Passantino worked as an associate for a large New York law firm and as a Federal Law Clerk to United States District Court Judge Herbert F. Murray.
During law school, Mr. Passantino served as Managing Editor of the Emory Law Journal.
Mr. Passantino is a regular contributor and commentator for CNN Radio, The Hill, FOX News, Roll Call, The Washington Post and USA Today, among others. Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine recognized Mr. Passantino on their 2008 and 2009 lists of Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Stars and as a Super Lawyer in 2010. Mr. Passantino was recognized as one of “Georgia’s Most Influential People” in the March 2006 and 2007 issues of James Magazine. The Georgia Supreme Court appointed Mr. Passantino as a mentor in the Transition into Law Practice Program of the State Bar of Georgia in January 2009. He is an "Expert Contributor" to the National Journal: Under the Influence Blog.
Education
- J.D., Emory Law School, 1991
- B.A., Drew University, 1988
Admitted
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- New York
Publications:
- Contributor, Political Law, Pay to Play law blog, www.paytoplaylawblog.com
- Expert Contributor, National Journal: Under the Influence Blog
- "The Current Financial Crisis: What Every Corporate Counsel Must Know," ACC America, December 2, 2008.
- ACC's Federal Ethics & Lobbying, November 14, 2008.
- "Ethics Reform Meets Convention Lobbyists" Atlanta Journal Constitution, August 2008 (Co-authored with Douglas Chalmers Jr.).
- Contributor, National Journal's advocacy and lobbying online forum
Seminars and Presentations:
- “Grassroots and Candidate Training,” Georgia Republican Party, Republican Round-Up 2010, May 14-15, 2010
- "Corporate Political Activities After Citizens United," American Forest and Paper Association General Counsels Committee Meeting, April 21-22, 2010.
- Panelist, “Hillary the Movie: The Final Act for Campaign Finance Reform?” Georgia State Bar, February 9, 2010
- "Corporate Compliance: Campaign Finance, Contracting, Tax, Lobbying & Ethics Rules," McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, May 2009
- "Establishing a Political Law Compliance Program in the Age of Obama?," Annual Government Contracts Spring Seminar, May 2009
- ACC's Federal Ethics & Lobbying, November 14, 2008.
- Compliance with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act - "Sarbanes-Oxley" for the Lobbying World - May 7, 2008
- BNA's The New Lobbying Law : A Sea Change, Part II -- Understanding and Implementing the Changes - May 5, 2008
- Congressional Oversight and Investigations, What Corporate America Should Know - April 2 and April 5, 2008
- Lorman Education Services Election Law in Georgia - Chair and Faculty Member - March 19, 2008
- National Press Club - Media Briefing Luncheon - January 10, 2008
- Press Roundtable Luncheon - October 25, 2007
- It's Now the Law: Understanding, Preparing for and Complying with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 - October 9, 2007
- Congress Finalizes Ethics and Lobbying Reforms: Compliance and Disclosure Under the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 - September 12, 2007
- Understanding and Navigating Changes to the Federal Lobbying & Ethics Rules - Effective Lobbying Techniques under Heightened Scrutiny -June 27, 2007
- Federal Lobbying Disclosure and Recent Changes to Federal and State-Level Ethics Issues: New Pitfalls South of the Border - June 6, 2007
- What Business Leaders Need to Know about Procurement Lobbying, Gifts to Government Officials, and Campaign Contributions and Political Activity - New York State and Federal Rules - January 18, 2007
- Institute of Continuing Legal Education Election Law Seminar - April 28, 2006
- Establishing and Maintaining Successful Relations with Congressional Members and Staff: How to Avoid Ethical Pitfalls - October 17, 2006
- Changes in Campaign & Election Law: What Corporations Need To Know Before Being Politically Active in Georgia - October 11, 2005
- “The Current Financial Crisis: What Every Corporate Counsel Must Know,” ACC America, December 2, 2008.
Professional Activities:
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Georgia, Elections Committee