As the holiday season approaches, hosts Charlie Ricciardelli and Tyler Rosen tackle an important question: What do you get for a government affairs department that has everything? The answer could be a 501(c)(4) organization, a versatile tool that has become increasingly popular for corporate advocacy, lobbying and political activity. However, this “hot new toy” has some risks. During this episode, the hosts outline what 501(c)(4) organizations are, how they differ from other tax-exempt entities, why they've become so valuable for government affairs work and how they can help advance a company’s public policy goals. They also provide practical guidance on how to use them effectively while avoiding the pitfalls that can lead to regulatory scrutiny.

☑️ Charlie Ricciardelli | LinkedIn

☑️ Tyler Rosen | LinkedIn

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“The Lobby Bar” is presented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates. This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended and should not be construed as legal advice. This podcast is considered advertising under applicable state laws.

On the inaugural episode of “The Lobby Bar” podcast, partners Charlie Ricciardelli and Tyler Rosen unpack the complexities of pay-to-play rules in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City. These jurisdictions all have “off-year” elections in 2025, with some featuring liability laws that can potentially knock companies out of government contracts based on violations. 

• New Jersey Features Rules That Could Impact Government Contracts: New Jersey has strict regulations on pay-to-play rules that could trigger bans on companies from holding or receiving government contracts that can last for the duration of an elected official’s term
• Virginia Less Strict But Companies Must Be Mindful: Virginia's rules include gift provisions and apply during pending bids
• New York City Has a Different Structure: New York City's rules allow candidates to self-police political contributions to ensure they are under the prescribed limits. There is no legal liability for a company as a whole, but there is liability for a company’s covered donors
• Importance of Pre-Clearance: Pay-to-play rules are varied and can implicate federal regulations as well. Companies and organizations should be mindful of having a pre-clearance process in place to ensure compliance

☑️ Charlie Ricciardelli | LinkedIn

☑️ Tyler Rosen | LinkedIn

☑️ Skadden | LinkedIn | X | Facebook 

☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

“The Lobby Bar” is presented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates. This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended and should not be construed as legal advice. This podcast is considered advertising under applicable state laws.

Welcome to "The Lobby Bar: a Political Law Podcast" makes political law accessible to legal, compliance and government affairs professionals across all industries. Hosts Charlie Ricciardelli and Tyler Rosen deliver practical insights on the compliance challenges and regulatory developments that matter most in today's complex political and regulatory landscape. Whether you're navigating lobbying requirements, campaign finance rules, pay-to-play laws, or other government affairs compliance matters, “The Lobby Bar” provides the essential information you need to stay ahead of evolving political law requirements.

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Disclaimer

"The Lobby Bar: a Political Law Podcast" is presented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates. This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended and should not be construed as legal advice. This podcast is considered advertising under applicable state laws.