Innovative Courses in William & Mary's Washington, D.C., Program
William & Mary’s Washington, D.C., Program provides an opportunity for law students to take courses both in Williamsburg and the nation’s capital. This month, renowned Washington, D.C., attorney Stanley Brand will be teaching a new course—“The IRS Scandal Over Political Advocacy: Citizens United, Congress and IRS Regulation” to William & Mary law students. The Fall 2016 course will take place in both Williamsburg and at William & Mary’s D.C. Office.”
Brand’s course will explore the legal and constitutional issues arising from IRS regulation of so-called 501(c)(4) “social welfare organizations.” In particular, the course will focus on 501(c)(4) political activity in the context of the congressional and inspectors general investigations. Students will consider the role of congressional oversight and the limits of congressional investigative power, the rights of witnesses before investigating committees (including the 5th Amendment), enforcement of congressional subpoenas, as well as the regulatory response of the IRS and the problems inherent in parallel investigations by Congress and the Department of Justice.
With over forty years of experience, Mr. Brand will offer an unparalleled first-hand view of navigating congressional investigations. Mr. Brand served as former General Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives from 1976-1983. In that role, Mr. Brand was responsible for representing members, officers, and employees in legal proceedings challenging their conduct of official business before federal district, appellate and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Brand has also represented individuals involved in high-profile public corruption and ethics cases, such as former White House aide George Stephanopoulos in the Whitewater investigation, former Congressman and Gore 2000 Chairman Tony Coelho, Senator Larry Craig and Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
Mr. Brand is now senior counsel in Akin Gump’s litigation practice in Washington, D.C. Mr. Brand co-authored Congressional Investigations and Oversights, which uses case studies to illustrate the “importance of effective congressional oversight and investigative activities.” William & Mary Law School is thrilled to welcome Mr. Brand to its adjunct faculty.
About William & Mary Law School
Thomas Jefferson founded William & Mary Law School in 1779 to train leaders for the new nation. Now in its third century, America's oldest law school continues its historic mission of educating citizen lawyers who are prepared both to lead and to serve.