News & Publications
State Ethics & Elections Ballot Measures: National Recap
Government ethics remained a hot topic for voters around the United States in the mid-term 2018 elections. Citizens of at least 12 states had the opportunity on Election Day to vote on ballot measures that covered gifts, campaign contributions, elections, public officials’ conduct, and lobbyist activity. With few exceptions, these measures generally increase ethics oversight and restrictions.
The American Inns of Court Presents Prestigious National Award to Art Scotland at the United States Supreme Court
Nielsen Merksamer is pleased to announce that Art Scotland received the prestigious A. Sherman Christensen Award from the American Inns of Court
Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) Elects Steve Merksamer Chair of Its Board of Directors
Nielsen Merksamer is pleased to announce that the board of directors of the Public Policy Institute of California
(PPIC) elected Steve Merksamer to serve as its chair.
California Supreme Court Expands Zoning Referendum Power
On August 23, 2018, the California Supreme Court issued a decision in City of Morgan Hill v. Bushey (No. S243042), holding that “the people of a county or city can challenge . . . a zoning ordinance by referendum, at least where the local government has other means available to make the zoning ordinance and general plan consistent.”
Nielsen Merksamer Attorneys Recognized As 2018 Northern California Super Lawyers/Rising Stars
Nielsen Merksamer is pleased to announce that Steve Merksamer has been named a Northern California Super Lawyer and Elli Abdoli was named a Northern California Rising Star for 2018.
2018 California Primary Election Summary
While there were no big surprises from Tuesday’s election, there were a number of key races, at the state and federal level, which will impact California’s political landscape and possibly the balance of power in Washington D.C.
Initiative to Repeal Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act Is Headed for November 2018 Ballot
On April 23, proponents of repeal of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act filed more than 588,000 petition signatures to place the initiative on the November 2018 statewide ballot.
Recent Publications on Donor Disclosure Litigation and Sexual Abuse Legislation Involving Lobbyists
A Nielsen Merksamer attorney and senior researcher recently published articles addressing the possibility of retroactive disclosure of contributors to political nonprofits and additional disclosure, training and certification by lobbyists to address recent sexual abuse scandals.
Nielsen Merksamer Presents Compendium of National Campaign Finance Litigation at Ethics Conference
Nielsen Merksamer participated in the 39th annual Council on Government Ethics Laws (“COGEL”) Conference held in Toronto, Canada from December 3 – 6, 2017.