Thursday Lunch Event: Campaign Financing

On Thursday, the American Constitution Society and the BC Law Democrats welcome Margaret McCormick, campaign finance counsel to the National Education Association, to campus to discuss current campaign financing issues.  Campaign financing reaches the core of America’s democracy, raising concerns about speech, access, and our republican structure.  The Supreme Court will hear a First Amendment challenge to a provision of the McCain-Feingold Act on April 22 (the so-called “millionnaire exception”), which makes the event especially timely.  McCormick brings over 25 years of experience in campaign financing law and will highlight the most pressing issues of the day, including public financing. She also has a special tie to BC Law as the mother of JLSA President, Caitlin Vaughn.

Because this will be the final event held by ACS this year and because we’re all tired of pizza, the organization is getting adventurous with the food order. Lebanese specialities like humus, pumpkin kibbis, and baba ganouj are being trucked in from a highly recommended little place in West Roxbury. All who have sampled give rave reviews.

The event will be at 12:30 in Stuart 411. Come early to snag a plate and then stay for a conversation about pressing issues especially appropriate for an election year. Details about ACS elections will also be announced.

See you there! 

Margaret (Peg) McCormick specializes in the practice of federal and state campaign finance law.  She has more than 25 years of experience in advising unions and other nonprofits on complying with the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, state campaign finance laws, and Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Act.

Peg started her career as a campaign finance lawyer by working for several years at the Federal Election Commission.  Following that, she served as Deputy Counsel to Vice President Walter Mondale, advising the White House on campaign finance matters.  She then worked as Associate General Counsel for the AFL-CIO advising the AFL-CIO and its affiliates on campaign finance law for 17 years.  In 1997, she left the AFL-CIO for private practice where her clients included the AFL-CIO, the National Education Association, and the Communications Workers of America.  She was hired as campaign finance counsel for the National Education Association in 2003 and remains in that position today.   Peg is considered one of the nation’s top experts on campaign finance law as it applies to unions.