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Andrew Garrahan represents and counsels clients at the intersection of law and politics. He guides them through both regulatory compliance issues and government investigations on matters including state and federal campaign finance, ethics, lobbying, and corruption.
Mr. Garrahan’s prior career in political fundraising gives him a unique perspective on the challenges faced by his clients, which include corporations, candidates, government officials, political and nonprofit organizations, and private individuals.
Mr. Garrahan also represents corporate and individual clients in all manner of state and federal investigations.
- Represents officers of a corporation in a federal criminal campaign finance investigation and related Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforcement.
- Defending a government contractor against alleged federal wire fraud, money laundering, false statements, and Iran sanctions violations.
- Represents a medical distributor in an investigation by the House Energy & Commerce Committee.
- Advises a major pharmaceutical company on state campaign finance, lobbying, and pay-to-play matters.
- Achieved dismissal of a California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) campaign finance complaint against a private company.
- Achieved a dismissal of an investigation of a nonprofit organization by the Department of Justice, National Security Division’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) Unit, and a determination that the organization was not a foreign agent.
- Achieved a dismissal of an investigation of a nonprofit organization by the Department of Justice, National Security Division’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) Unit, and a determination that the organization was not a foreign agent.
- Successfully guided a trade association through an audit by the New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE).
- Represented a consulting firm in an investigation by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR).
- Defended a Fortune 100 company in an investigation by the Department of Justice and Department of State into criminal International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) violations.
- Advised an international organization in an investigation by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC).
- Represented a Fortune 100 manufacturer in responding to a subpoena in a political corruption investigation by the Department of Justice.
- Advised a federal Super PAC on compliance with the Federal Election Campaign Act and related FEC regulations.
- Represented a pharmaceutical corporation in investigations by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) and Senate Special Committee on Aging (SCA).
- Counseled an individual through an investigation by the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (O&I).
- Audited the political law compliance practices of a major natural resources corporation, proposed new compliance policies, and assisted with their implementation.
- Represented a government contractor in a fast-paced, highly sensitive federal investigation into its security practices.
Pro Bono
- Representing a federal detainee in a habeas corpus trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Memberships and Affiliations
- California Political Attorneys Association
- American Bar Association
- Virginia Bar Association
- Alexandria Bar Association
- Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, Board of Directors
- Trust for the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Board of Trustees (2016)
Previous Experience
- City of Waynesboro, Virginia, Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Intern (2012-2013)
- U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Office, Intern (2011)
- Virginians for Wagner for Lt. Governor, Finance Director (2008-2009)
- Friends of Mark Warner, Deputy Finance Director (2007-2008)
- Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Finance (2005-2007)
February 2021
As the legal, regulatory, and commercial implications of coronavirus COVID-19 continue to evolve, our lawyers and advisors are helping clients navigate the complex considerations that companies around the world are facing and develop plans and strategies in response. Reach out to our COVID-19 task force at COVID19@cov.com. Below is a compendium of resources ...
December 3, 2020, Global Policy Watch
An opinion by Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia unsealed yesterday has generated much attention for its discussion of contributions-for-pardons allegations in a case that is still largely obscured from public view. But the underlying offenses at issue in the case also include an alleged “secret lobbying...… ...
December 3, 2020, Inside Political Law
An opinion by Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia unsealed yesterday has generated much attention for its discussion of contributions-for-pardons allegations in a case that is still largely obscured from public view. But the underlying offenses at issue in the case also include an alleged “secret lobbying...… ...
September 24, 2020, Covington Alert
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, voting in the 2020 general election is likely to look different than we have seen in recent times. Election officials across the country are working through in-person voting and vote-by-mail procedures and individual voters are deciding how best to cast their ballots. At the same time, many corporations are recognizing this ...
June 11, 2020, Global Policy Watch
Effective today, June 11, 2020, a new law in Washington state prohibits involvement of “foreign nationals” in state campaign finance activity. The law also requires corporations and other entities to certify their compliance with the new law whenever they make a contribution in the state. This new law reinforces Washington’s reputation as one of the...… ...
June 11, 2020, Inside Political Law
Effective tomorrow, June 11, 2020, a new law in Washington state prohibits involvement of “foreign nationals” in state campaign finance activity. The law also requires corporations and other entities to certify their compliance with the new law whenever they make a contribution in the state. This new law reinforces Washington’s reputation as one of the...… ...
April 29, 2020, Inside Political Law
As states grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, many have opted to make changes to campaign finance and lobbying reporting due dates and filing procedures. Covington has published a client alert containing a chart of changes to state campaign finance and lobbying filing schedules that states have announced as of last week. State...… Continue ...
April 29, 2020, Covington Alert
As states grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, many have opted to make changes to campaign finance and lobbying reporting due dates and filing procedures. Covington has assembled a chart of changes to state campaign finance and lobbying filing schedules that states have announced as of last week.
April 7, 2020, Global Policy Watch
As the coronavirus pandemic continues across the country, many corporations, organizations, and individuals are looking for ways they can help fight back. This often includes donating money, goods, or services to federal, state, or local government entities. These well-intentioned donations can generate compliance problems if not handled appropriately from the ...
April 6, 2020, Inside Political Law
As the coronavirus pandemic continues across the country, many corporations, organizations, and individuals are looking for ways they can help fight back. This often includes donating money, goods, or services to federal, state, or local government entities. These well-intentioned donations can generate compliance problems if not handled appropriately from the ...
April 6, 2020, Covington Alert
As the coronavirus pandemic continues across the country, many corporations, organizations, and individuals are looking for ways they can help fight back. This often includes donating money, goods, or services to federal, state, or local government entities. These well-intentioned donations can generate compliance problems if not handled appropriately from the ...
March 24, 2020, Inside Political Law
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are reverberating in every sector of the global economy, from life sciences to transportation, retail to manufacturing, financial services to sports and entertainment. As federal, state, and local governments attempt to blunt the pandemic’s public health and economic effects, many companies are frantically working with ...
March 24, 2020, Covington Alert
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are reverberating in every sector of the global economy, from life sciences to transportation, retail to manufacturing, financial services to sports and entertainment. As federal, state, and local governments attempt to blunt the pandemic’s public health and economic effects, many companies are frantically working with ...
March 17, 2020, Global Policy Watch
Last year, we blogged about a new and highly restrictive disclosure law in New Jersey that took aim at so-called “dark money” spending by nonprofit and political organizations. In response to a series of lawsuits, a federal court has issued an order permanently prohibiting the state from enforcing the law against “independent expenditure committees” as...… ...
March 17, 2020, Inside Political Law
Last year, we blogged about a new and highly restrictive disclosure law in New Jersey that took aim at so-called “dark money” spending by nonprofit and political organizations. In response to a series of lawsuits, a federal court has issued an order permanently prohibiting the state from enforcing the law against “independent expenditure committees” as...… ...
December 18, 2019, Global Policy Watch
Amid ongoing focus on how social media and other companies approach online advertising, California’s latest effort to require disclosure of online advertising will take effect January 1. We blogged on these revisions to the California DISCLOSE Act, sometimes called the Social Media DISCLOSE Act, when they passed back in 2018. Absent federal action, we ...
December 18, 2019, Inside Political Law
Amid ongoing focus on how social media and other companies approach online advertising, California’s latest effort to require disclosure of online advertising will take effect January 1. We blogged on these revisions to the California DISCLOSE Act, sometimes called the Social Media DISCLOSE Act, when they passed back in 2018. Absent federal action, we ...
September 19, 2019, Inside Political Law
The California legislature passed a new law this week that, if signed by the Governor, would impose campaign contribution limits on city and county elections in the state. Under current law, cities and counties may adopt their own contribution limits, but most have not. According to the legislature, this has led to a situation where...… Continue Reading The ...
July 2, 2019, Inside Political Law
So-called “dark money” — political contributions and spending by groups that do not have to disclose their donors — continues to draw the attention of state legislators, with Colorado and New Jersey recently adopting laws that attempt to force some donor disclosure from the groups. They join other states, including Washington and California, that have...… ...
October 1, 2018, Global Policy Watch
Earlier this week, California Gov. Jerry Brown approved the Social Media Disclose Act, to take effect in 2020. We previously blogged about the Social Media DISCLOSE Act, which will place new disclosure obligations on social networks like Facebook and Twitter; advertising platforms like Google; and anyone who engages in online political advertising. Covered ...
September 28, 2018, Inside Political Law
Earlier this week, California Gov. Jerry Brown approved the Social Media Disclose Act, to take effect in 2020. We previously blogged about the Social Media DISCLOSE Act, which will place new disclosure obligations on social networks like Facebook and Twitter; advertising platforms like Google; and anyone who engages in online political advertising. Covered ...
June 19, 2018, Global Policy Watch
In a case with interesting ramifications, a federal court this week struck down major parts of Colorado’s campaign finance enforcement system as unconstitutional.The system at issue, which was created through a ballot initiative, generally allowed any person who believed there had been a violation of the state’s campaign finance laws to file a written ...
January 22, 2018, Global Policy Watch
As sexual abuse, assault, harassment, and other misconduct have dominated national headlines, state capitols and lobbyists have not escaped scrutiny. Amidst a spate of allegations and member resignations, some state legislatures and ethics commissions are taking action. While a variety of measures are being considered, including tightening gift rules, it is ...
October 9, 2017, Global Policy Watch
On Saturday, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the California DISCLOSE Act, AB249, into law. We posted a detailed analysis of the law when it passed the legislature, but the key points bear repeating as it will be of interest to anyone who gives or spends money in California elections. The law requires that some form...… Continue Reading
August 7, 2017, Covington Alert
Corporate legal and compliance departments are usually well aware of the laws regulating lobbying the federal government. Recent news reports, however, indicate that companies have more trouble with state and local lobbying laws.
July 3, 2017, Global Policy Watch
The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations is considering a major change to the way trade associations are allowed to raise money into their political action committees (PACs). Currently, if a trade association wants to solicit money from its member companies’ employees, it must first get advance approval from the company, and each company can authorize...… ...
November 17, 2016, Covington Alert
With Election Day 2016 in the books, the political world turns to the transition of power and the January 20, 2017 Inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence. With the swearing in of the new President and Vice President will come the traditional balls, parties, and receptions. The inauguration and related events are costly, ...
November 15, 2016, Covington Alert
Over the next nine weeks, the Trump Presidential Transition team will formulate policy and staffing recommendations for the new administration. This alert gives a broad overview of the Transition and the laws that regulate interactions with Transition team members on issues related to appointments and policy recommendations. Persons interested in this topic may ...
August 25, 2016, Covington Advisory
This month, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), an obscure, almost 80-year old, statute has rocketed to national headlines. FARA, a sweeping federal criminal statute, requires certain individuals and companies acting on behalf of foreign principals to register with the Department of Justice and file regular detailed reports of their activities. As we ...
August 15, 2016, Covington Advisory
Companies are increasingly hiring out of the federal workforce, only to find that their new hires are restricted by “revolving door” rules that prohibit their participation in certain matters—sometimes for a limited time, sometimes permanently. New rules issued recently by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (“OGE”) serve as a reminder that, even before hiring ...

Survey of the Pay-to-Play Laws of the United States
Available for purchase in its entirety or by region, Covington's 50-state survey can help in-house lawyers and compliance professionals make sense of the complex regulatory framework surrounding political contributions.
Practices
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Regulatory and Public Policy
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Election and Political Law
- Corporate and Trade Association Political Activity
- Corporate Political Disclosure
- FEC Advice and Enforcement
- Foreign Agents Registration Act
- Government Affairs Compliance Reviews
- Lobbying and Campaign Finance Internal Investigations
- Lobbying Disclosure Act Compliance
- Pay-to-Play Law Advice
- State and Local Enforcement
- Super PACs
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Public Policy
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Election and Political Law
- Litigation and Investigations