Media Mentions
2008
Bobby R. Burchfield was quoted in the June/July issue of Worth in an article regarding how wealthy citizens who choose public service careers must structure their finances in ways that are solid yet completely transparent. Mr. Burchfield noted that to avoid financial conflicts of interest, those holding public office can recuse themselves from votes or official business that may impact their financial holdings. "The rules say, 'Have you voted or acted on a matter that you reasonably expect to provide to you or someone in your family the prospect of personal gain?' I tell clients that just living up to the letter of the law is not enough. If you’re going to avoid controversy, you have to be cognizant of not just the law but the prevailing standards of ethics within the political community and within the media community," he said.
Bobby R. Burchfield, Elections & Political Law, Trial
2007
Bobby R. Burchfield was quoted in the October issue of Washington Lawyer regarding whether there should be a reform in the electoral system as the nation prepares for the 2008 presidential election. Mr. Burchfield commented on his support of the electoral college and why changing to national direct elections may not be the answer. "It doesn't persuade me that the system is bad, to say that sometimes the system produces a result that a different system would produce differently," he stated. Mr. Burchfield further commented on the shift that would result if national direct elections for presidential campaigns became the standard. "The popular vote would tend to push candidates into population centers. They would have to go where the people are rather than allocate their campaigns throughout the country," he said.
Bobby R. Burchfield, Elections & Political Law, Trial
Abbe Lowell was quoted in the April 27 issue of The National Law Journal in regard to the political fallout of the firing of eight U.S. attorneys. Individuals facing indictments should have a legitimate avenue to seek review in Washington, said Mr. Lowell. "This scandal will make it even hard to come by and that's bad for the system."
Elections & Political Law, Trial
An article announcing the move of Abbe Lowell to McDermott was published in the April 17 issue of The Wall Street Journal.
Elections & Political Law, Trial
2006
On November 13, Bobby Burchfield was mentioned in an Associated Press story that appeared in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, regarding the announcement of the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee, Inc. Mr. Burchfield was listed on the paperwork as the attorney advising Giuliani.
Bobby R. Burchfield, Elections & Political Law, Trial
Jason Levine was quoted extensively in the June 1 issue of The Register-Herald in regard to the oral arguments presented on behalf of three Republican organizations in former gubernatorial candidate Charlotte Pritt's 9-year-old libel lawsuit regarding ads aired against her in her failed 1996 bid for Governor of West Virginia. The court denied Pritt's motion for a new trial or judgment as a matter of law. During argument, Mr. Levine explained that Pritt had no legal or factual grounds for relief, but was merely disappointed by her defeat.
Jason A. Levine, Elections & Political Law, Trial
2005
M. Miller Baker was quoted in the September 5 issue of Legal Times regarding the District of Columbia Circuit's sua sponte decision to initially hear en banc two cases involving the scope of congressional immunity under the speech or debate clause of the Constitution. Mr. Baker commented that it was very, very rare for the D.C. Circuit to undertake en banc review as an initial matter.
M. Miller Baker, Elections & Political Law, Trial
M. Miller Baker was quoted in the May 2 issue of Roll Call in an article entitled "Full Circuit to Hear CAA Cases Jointly." The article discusses a surprise move that could lay the groundwork for review by the Supreme Court. The federal appeals court, which is now hearing two lawsuits against Members of Congress has decided to hear both cases together in front of the entire circuit, rather than in separate hearings. Mr. Baker said in regard to the Supreme Court hearing the two lawsuits together that "it's highly, highly unusual. Put another way, it's extraordinary." He continued to say that perhaps the last time a full circuit court took a case "as an original matter" was in Bush v. Gore in 2000, when the full 11th Circuit decided to hear the lawsuit directly from the trial court.
M. Miller Baker, Elections & Political Law, Government Strategies, Trial
2004
On October 6, 2004, Miller Baker testified before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on the Judiciary - Subcommittee on the Constitution at an Oversight Hearing regarding "The Presidential Succession Act of 1947" and the future considerations for changes to presidential succession. Mr. Baker's testimony was quoted in Roll Call on October 7, 2004, which reported his statement that "Suffice it to say here that the 1947 act is almost certainly the most dangerous statute to be found in the United States Code." Roll Call agreed with Mr. Baker's testimony that the current succession law "threatens to deprive the United States of clear executive authority at the precise moment" when the need for it would be most urgent was echoed by the other panelists. To view the entire testimony, visit http://www.house.gov/judiciary/baker100604.pdf.
M. Miller Baker, Elections & Political Law, Government Strategies, Trial
2002
Miller Baker was quoted in the April 16 issue of The Washington Times regarding his representation of four opponents to postal voting/elections. Mr. Baker argued that Oregon's vote-by-mail system violates the 19th century law requiring all states to elect congressional and presidential candidates on the same day. The Supreme Court recently refused to review Oregon's vote-by-mail system.
M. Miller Baker, Elections & Political Law, Trial
Miller Baker’s recent Congressional testimony was cited in an op-ed piece published in the March 11 issue of The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Baker urged Congress to re-examine the presidential succession amendment during his testimony regarding a H.J. Res. 67, which would allow state governors to make necessary appointments to fill House vacancies in the event that catastrophe caused widespread vacancies in the House of Representatives. Since Mr. Baker's testimony, the Washington Post and CNN reported that Representative Brian Baird (D-WA), the sponsor of H.J. Res. 67, has asked the congressional leadership to establish a joint House-Senate task force to examine presidential succession issues, and that House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) has agreed with Rep. Baird's suggestion.
M. Miller Baker, Elections & Political Law, Trial
2001
Miller Baker was interviewed by Fox News television on August 20 for a story regarding Oregon's voting by mail.
