Mr. Frulla counsels a wide range of entities such as corporations, lobbying firms, trade associations and labor organizations regarding federal and state campaign finance; lobbying registration, reporting and activity; foreign agent registration and reporting; and other political law issues. He also has counseled public officials, federal candidates, independent political committees, private citizens, Native American tribes and state party officials regarding these issues. He has initiated federal and state campaign finance and lobbying reporting services and has assisted in procuring communications support for political committees' fundraising and mobilization efforts.
Mr. Frulla also has significant experience defending individuals, labor organizations and corporations in criminal, administrative, and legislative investigations and enforcement proceedings in matters involving white-collar crime, environmental regulation, healthcare consumer protection, alleged fraud and abuse, and campaign finance and public integrity issues.
In addition, Mr. Frulla maintains an advocacy-focused practice that seeks to develop and implement regulatory approaches to lessen governmental burdens on businesses and other regulated entities. Employing Kelley Drye's multi-disciplinary approach, Mr. Frulla seeks creative, often science-based, solutions that involve the judicial, legislative and executive branches at the federal and state levels. His experience includes legislative and regulatory counseling and advocacy before the Executive Branch, members and staff of the U.S. Congress, and various administrative agencies and interstate compact commissions.
Mr. Frulla has written various op-ed pieces relating to practice specialties in natural resource law.
Representative Experience
In his practice, Mr. Frulla discerns and implements creative approaches to difficult issues. His experience includes:
Organizing, counseling, and representing a wide range of trade associations and other tax-exempt organizations.
Counseling a range of federal and non-federal political committees, often with millions of dollars in activity and operating in multiple federal and state jurisdictions, on campaign finance and related tax issues.
Defending public officials, candidates, and political donors in federal and state criminal and administrative agency enforcement proceedings, including at trial.
Prevailing in federal appellate cases involving the U.S. Constitution's supremacy clause, legislative and executive separation of powers in the criminal context involving a charge against a Member of Congress involving the "House Bank," and the on-going legal effect of appropriations "riders."
Providing advice and counsel to organizations governed by interstate compacts.
Identifying and employing the Regulatory Flexibility Act as a weapon for small businesses to challenge, and obtain substantive relief as to, burdensome federal regulations. In March 2005, he achieved judicial invalidation of a Federal Communications Commission rule regarding telephone number porting. Additionally, his settlement of a lawsuit for Atlantic shark fishermen resulted in an independent scientific review, repudiation, and reconsideration of conservation measures, following special master proceedings into the agency’s good faith in complying with this law and a court order.
Assisting government contractors and their employees to respond to Justice Department and contracting agency investigations, as well as False Claims Act actions brought by private qui tam plaintiffs.
Memberships & Associations
American Bar Association, Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section, Criminal Process Committee, ChairProfessional Activities
Registered lobbyistHonors & Awards
Selected as one of The Best Lawyers in America in the Government Relations Practice area, 2010-2012.
Noted as one of the leaders of the firm's Campaign Finance & Political Law practice group in Chambers USA, 2008.
Listed in The Lawdragon 500: Leading Lawyers in America.
Recognized as a leading attorney in Government/Cities/Municipalities and Environment practice areas by Washington D.C. Super Lawyers.
