Campaign Finance Primer (Video): Interview with Kenneth Gross on McCutcheon v. FEC

McCutcheon's Potential Impact The new video was filmed as part of the Election Law Society's recent symposium on the case. Photographed at the event were, from left, guest speakers Larry Noble and Kenneth Gross, Allison Davis '16 (Symposium Co-Chair), and guest speaker Trevor Potter. Photo by David F. Morrill

by Election Law Program | March 13, 2014

In a video interview conducted by first-year law student Allison Davis, nationally prominent campaign finance attorney Kenneth Gross offers a primer on the potential impact of McCutcheon v. FEC on state campaign finance laws. Click here to watch the video (17:52 minutes). Gross is a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates, and is former associate general counsel of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

The case is currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court and challenges the constitutionality of "aggregate" campaign contribution limits. If the court deems aggregate political contributions unconstitutional, the decision could impact state campaign finance laws. The video is part of an ongoing series created by the Election Law Program intended to educate judges as well as journalists and citizens about election law matters. The program is a joint endeavor of the National Center for State Courts and William & Mary Law School.

Davis '16 co-chaired a February symposium sponsored by the student Election Law Society that explored the possible outcomes of the case. The symposium featured Gross, Larry Noble, a campaign finance lawyer and former general counsel of the FEC; and Trevor Potter, president of the Campaign Legal Center and a member of Caplin & Drysdale.

For more information, please contact the Election Law Program at [[w|elect]].