Overview
Jason Abel leads Steptoe's Campaign Finance and Political Law practice and advises clients on a range of government affairs issues, including legislative strategy and process. Jason served as chief counsel for US Senate Committee on Rules and Administration Chairman Charles Schumer and prior to that, as counsel for Senator Schumer in his personal office. Clients benefit from Jason's valuable Capitol Hill experience, where he worked with Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle to craft and execute strategy for several successful pieces of bipartisan legislation.
Recognized by Chambers USA in the political law arena and named a "Top Lawyer" for Campaign and Election Law by Washingtonian, Jason counsels candidates, corporations, trade associations, individuals and nonprofits on the complex intersection of law and political activity. His federal campaign finance practice includes PAC formation and compliance, and he counsels clients on Federal Election Commission rules and regulations. Jason has significant experience working on complicated questions arising under the House and Senate Ethics and Gift Rules, the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), and the various statutory provisions and rules surrounding conflict of interest and "revolving door" employment. He also advises financial services firms, government contractors and other businesses, as well as nonprofit entities on federal, state, and local pay-to-play and campaign finance matters, lobbying compliance, and gift and entertainment rules.
As counsel to Sen. Schumer, Jason was a part of the team that investigated the firing of US attorneys by the Department of Justice (DOJ), and led a successful effort to persuade the DOJ to reverse course and extend benefits to the family members of fallen firefighters and auxiliary police officers. As chief counsel of the Senate Committee on Rules & Administration, Jason led the strategic development and passage of the bipartisan Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE) Act of 2009, and the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011. Notably, Jason was the lead Senate aide for campaign finance issues including the DISCLOSE Act, the Democratic response to the Supreme Court’s opinion in Citizens United v. FEC.
Jason serves on the firm's pro bono committee and as Co-Chair of the Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Committee of the American Bar Association's Civil Rights and Social Justice Section, and has extensive experience in voter protection and voting rights. As a summer law clerk at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. he was part of the first "election protection" poll monitoring in 2001. Since that time, Jason has taken on election protection leadership roles, including:
- Director of State Voter Protection, Mississippi, Democratic Coordinated Campaign, 2008 General Election
- Boiler room Manager, Mississippi, Democratic Coordinated Campaign, 2018 Runoff Election for US Senate
- Boiler room Manager, Memphis, Tennessee, Democratic Coordinated Campaign, 2018 General Election
- Boiler room hotline attorney, Doug Jones for Senate, Alabama, 2017 Special Election for US Senate
- Boiler room attorney, Democratic Party of Virginia, 2016 General Election
- Regional roving poll observer, Democratic Party of Virginia, 2012 General Election
- Boiler room Manager, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Election Protection, 2004 General Election
Jason is a lecturer in law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where he teaches election law, and a professorial lecturer in law at George Washington University Law School, where he teaches campaign finance law and Congressional procedure.
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- US District Court, District of Columbia
- US District Court, District of Maryland
- US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia
- J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School, 2003, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Constitutional Law; Winner and Best Oralist, Edwin R. Keedy Cup Moot Court Competition
- University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, 2003, Certificate of Business and Public Policy
- B.A., University of Illinois, 2000
Areas of Work
Speaking Engagements
- Moderator, "Seventh Annual State of Voting Rights," American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice Webinar, December 13, 2022
- "The Fine Line Between Scholarship and Advocacy: New, Special Considerations for NGOs and Think Tanks," 4th National Forum on FARA – Foreign Agents Registration Act, December 8, 2022
- "Voting Laws in States, State Legislatures, and the Role of the U.S. Supreme Court," Public Affairs Council 2022 State and Local Government Relations Conference, September 23, 2022
- "The 2022 Midterm Congressional Elections and Their Impact on Business Lawyers," ABA Business Law Annual Meeting, September 15, 2022
- “Election Jeopardy,” American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice Webinar, June 29, 2022
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"Corporate Political Activity: Opportunity Amid Scrutiny," ESG News and Views Podcast Series, The Conference Board, February 16, 2022
- Moderator, "Sixth Annual State of Voting Rights," American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice Webinar, December 3, 2021
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"A Thin Line with Big Consequences for Lobbying and PR Firms: Key Misconceptions About the Lengths and Limits of the LDA Exemption," 3rd National Forum on FARA – Foreign Agents Registration Act, December 9, 2021
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"Lobbyists and the LDA Exemption," American Conference Institute's 2nd National Forum on FARA – Foreign Agents Registration Act, December 4, 2020
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Moderator, "November 3, 2020: The View from November 10," American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights & Social Justice Webinar, November 10, 2020
- Moderator, "Voting Rights and the 2020 Election," University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, October 21, 2020
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Moderator, "Fifth Annual State of Voting Rights," American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice Webinar, October 14, 2020
- "Voting Rights and the 2020 Election," Social Justice Forum, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, September 9, 2020
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"Revisiting Campaign Finance Regulation 10 Years After Citizens United," American Constitution Society, January 16, 2020. Watch the full panel discussion here.
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Moderator, "Fourth Annual State of Voting Rights," American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, November 8, 2019
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"The Knowns and Unknowns of FARA Reform: Status of Pending Bills, and the Potential Impact on Civil and Criminal Enforcement Risks," ACI's National Forum on FARA, Washington, DC, September 25, 2019
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Moderator, "More Than Meddling: Foreign Attacks on Elections & Public Policy," 40th Annual Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) Conference, Philadelphia, PA, December 9, 2018
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"The Failures of Oversight and Election Security: A Conversation featuring Kim Zetter," POGO Oversight Summit 2018, Washington, DC, November 16, 2018
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"It's Always Election Season: Building Effective Campaign Finance and Pay-to-Play Compliance Programs," ABA Business Law Section, Washington, DC, August 16, 2018
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Moderator, "Third Annual State of Voting Rights," ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, Washington, DC, July 12, 2018
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"Lobbying Rules, Advice, and Tips for the New Administration," ABA Business Law Section Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, September 15, 2017
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"State of Voting Rights," American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, Washington, DC, June 28, 2017
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"Post-Election Analysis: New President; New Congress; What Does it Mean for Business Lawyers?," American Bar Association Business Law Section's Spring Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 8, 2017
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"Whose Voice is it Anyway? The Influence of Campaign Finance on Party Politics," University of Pennsylvania Law School's 36th annual Edward V. Sparer Symposium, Philadelphia, PA, January 13, 2017
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"Elections Have Consequences: An Examination of the 2016 Elections, the Respective Candidates' Post-Election Legislative Agendas and the Impact on You and Your Clients," American Bar Association Business Law Section Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, September 7, 2016
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"Whose Vote Will Count? The State of Voting Rights and the 2016 Election," American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, Washington, DC, February 29, 2016
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"How Business Can Ethically and Legally Interact With Government," American Bar Association Business Law Section's Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, September 17, 2015
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"Beyond Watts and Ferguson: Reconciling Law Enforcement and Communities of Color," American Bar Association Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, July 31, 2015
News & Publications
Press Releases
The Hill Names Jason Abel, Elizabeth Burks, and Luis Fortuño to Top Lobbyists 2022
December 6, 2022
Publications
This Election Is Too Important
American Bar Association Human Rights Magazine
October 24, 2022
By: Jason Abel
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 27 Practice, 72 Individual Mentions in Chambers USA 2022
June 3, 2022
Client Alerts
White House Releases Executive Order on Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets
March 11, 2022
By: Alan Cohn, Scott A. Sinder, Micah S. Green, Jason Abel, Evan T. Abrams
Client Alerts
DOJ Seeks Comments on Changes to the Foreign Agents Registration Act Regulations
December 13, 2021
By: Jason Abel, Adie J. Olson, Scott A. Sinder, Jennifer M. Jackson, Amanda Powell
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 24 Practice, 71 Individual Mentions in Chambers USA 2021
May 20, 2021
Client Alerts
Breaking Down Biden's Ethics Pledge for Political Appointees
January 27, 2021
By: Robert Rizzi, Jason Abel
Resources
Exempt Organizations Advisory
January 5, 2021
Financial Services Group Advisory
How to Access Treasury Department Funding Under the CARES Act
March 29, 2020
By: Micah S. Green, John T. Collins, Scott A. Sinder, James D. Barnette, Luis G. Fortuño, Jason Abel
Financial Services Group Advisory
Federal Reserve Establishes, Expands Emergency Capital Liquidity Facilities
March 25, 2020
By: Micah S. Green, John T. Collins, Scott A. Sinder, James D. Barnette, Luis G. Fortuño, Jason Abel, N. Hunter Johnston
Financial Services Group Advisory
US Financial Regulatory Response to COVID-19
March 24, 2020
By: Micah S. Green, John T. Collins, Scott A. Sinder, James D. Barnette, Luis G. Fortuño, Jason Abel
Events
Webinars
Investigations & Enforcement Webinar Series
January 26, 2023
Speakers: Jason Abel, Iris E. Bennett, Lee Berger, Christopher R. Conte, Amba M. Datta, Coy Garrison, Erica Gerson, Patrick F. Linehan, Lucinda A. Low, Zoe Osborne, Wendy Wysong
Seminars & Events
Post-Election Recap - Policymaking Agenda for 2023
November 10, 2022
Speakers: Jason Abel, Leslie A. Belcher, Elizabeth Hurley Burks, Luis G. Fortuño, Darryl Nirenberg, Scott A. Sinder
Webinars
Investigations and Enforcement Webinar Series
October 27, 2022
Speakers: Jason Abel, Iris E. Bennett, Coy Garrison, Stacie R. Hartman, Patrick F. Linehan, Lucinda A. Low, Michael Campion Miller, Jason M. Weinstein, Charles Whiddington, Wendy Wysong
Webinars
Investigations & Enforcement Webinar Series
July 28, 2022
Speakers: Jason Abel, Iris E. Bennett, Amba M. Datta, Coy Garrison, Erica Gerson, Damon J. Kalt, Lucinda A. Low, Michael Campion Miller, Zoe Osborne, Wendy Wysong
Webinars
Investigations & Enforcement Webinar Series
January 27, 2022
Speakers: Jason Abel, Iris E. Bennett, Christopher R. Conte, Stacie R. Hartman, Paul R. Hurst, Patrick F. Linehan, Lucinda A. Low, Michael Campion Miller, Zoe Osborne, Wendy Wysong
Webinars
Investigations & Enforcement Webinar Series
July 21, 2021
Speakers: Jason Abel, Christopher R. Conte, Stacie R. Hartman, Patrick F. Linehan, Lucinda A. Low, Michael Campion Miller, Zoe Osborne, David M. Stetson, Wendy Wysong
Webinars
Investigations & Enforcement Webinar Series
May 12, 2021
Speakers: Jason Abel, Christopher R. Conte, Stacie R. Hartman, Paul R. Hurst, Patrick F. Linehan, Lucinda A. Low, Michael Campion Miller, Zoe Osborne, Wendy Wysong
Webinars
Investigations & Enforcement Webinar Series
February 25, 2021
Speakers: Jason Abel, Christopher R. Conte, Paul R. Hurst, Patrick F. Linehan, Lucinda A. Low, Michael Campion Miller, Zoe Osborne, Wendy Wysong
Webinars
Post-Election Recap: The First 48 Hours
November 5, 2020
Speakers: Jason Abel, Leslie A. Belcher, Elizabeth Hurley Burks, Darryl Nirenberg, Scott A. Sinder
Webinars
November 8, 2018
Speakers: Jason Abel, James D. Barnette, Leslie A. Belcher, Elizabeth Hurley Burks, John T. Collins, Luis G. Fortuño, Micah S. Green, N. Hunter Johnston, Darryl Nirenberg, Scott A. Sinder
Noteworthy
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Chambers USA, Government: Political Law, Nationwide (2015-2022)
- Super Lawyers, Washington, DC, Legislative & Governmental Affairs (2019-2022)
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Legal 500 US, Government: Government relations (2018)
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Washingtonian magazine's "Best Lawyers," Campaign and Election Law (2017-2018)
- The Hill, "Top Lobbyists" (2016-2018, 2020-2022)
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The National Law Journal, "DC Rising Star" (2015)
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Legal Bisnow, Washington's 2015 Trending 40 Lawyers Under 40 (2015)
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National Journal, "The Hill People" (2011)
Previous Employment
- Chief Counsel, US Senate Committee on Rules & Administration Chairman, Senator Chuck Schumer (2009-2011)
- Counsel, Senator Chuck Schumer (2007-2009)
Professional Affiliations
- Co-Chair, Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Committee of the Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice (2014-2019, 2021-Present)
- Special Counsel, Section on Civil Rights and Social Justice, American Bar Association (2019-2021)
- Member, Task Force on Elections and Voting Rights, Section on Civil Rights and Social Justice, American Bar Association
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Chair, Subcommittee on Newsletter/Lobbying Law Compendium, Government Affairs Practice Committee of the Business Law Section, American Bar Association
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Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Member, University of Illinois System Advocacy Committee