Government Affairs Quick Hits Seminar

This CLE seminar will be submitted for 2.0 Ohio Supreme Court continuing education credits. Our presenters will provide information on the top five things every business should know about:

• Mid-Biennium Budget Review: Bricker attorneys Greg Lestini and Chris Slagle will provide a legal analysis of critical components of multiple acts making up the 2014 Mid-Biennium Budget Review (MBR). Greg and Chris will describe the unique nature of this “off-cycle” budget process, the impact different provisions will have on businesses and what to look for in the official 2015-2016 biennium budget process in the first half of next year.
• Ethics: Maria Armstrong and Marjorie Yano of Bricker & Eckler will summarize the policies that every company should adopt and enforce to avoid violations of the gift and entertainment laws, deal with conflicts of interest and avoid revolving door problems. This section will also review issues related to board members and employees who become public officials.
• Lobbying: Greg Lestini and Chris Slagle will present attendees with an inside look at lobbying and legislative advocacy. The presentation will include an overview of the different branches of government that may be lobbied, considerations when drafting and advocating new laws and administrative rules, and legal and practical considerations when lobbying elected officials.
• Lobbying Reporting: In this session, Katie Reardon of Bricker & Eckler and Tony Bledsoe of the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee will review the reporting requirements that apply to lobbyists and the companies that employ them.
• Campaign Finance: During this segment, Maria Armstrong and Marjorie Yano will review the do’s and don’ts of political activity in the workplace and the legal mechanisms for political activity by corporations.

A cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception will follow the presentations. For questions or to register, please contact Traci Graham at 614.227.4941 or tgraham@bricker.com.

To our public sector clients and friends: As you are aware, Ohio's ethics laws prohibit us from giving certain public officials gifts, including food and beverages, of a "substantial value." We estimate that the cost of food and beverage at this event will be approximately $20 per person. While we do not consider this amount to be "substantial," we understand that some jurisdictions or individuals may have adopted a more definitive or stringent policy regarding gifts and meals.