David Frulla practices in the areas of government relations and public policy, campaign finance and political law, litigation and environmental law.  A determined advocate, effective negotiator, registered lobbyist and proven litigator, David’s clients include corporations, lobbying firms, trade associations and labor organizations.  He also represents and counsels public officials, federal candidates, independent political committees and private citizens.

David works with his clients to develop and implement regulatory approaches that lessen governmental burdens on, or seek benefits for, businesses and other regulated entities.  David is known and valued for continuously seeking creative, and 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, as well as before various administrative agencies and interstate compact commissions.

David is also involved in federal, state and local campaign finance and lobbying registration, reporting and activity; foreign agent registration and reporting; and other political law-related matters.  He designs innovative solutions for clients with a wide range of governmental customers and clients.  When needed, David has significant experience and offers a proven track record of results in defending individuals, labor organizations and corporations in criminal, administrative and legislative investigations and enforcement proceedings involving white-collar crime, environmental regulation, alleged fraud and abuse, and campaign finance and public integrity issues.

David truly understands law and policy from the inside out.  He consistently provides the requisite knowledge and reach needed to ensure his client’s objectives are leveraged throughout the public policy process.  David’s practical skills in navigating the terrain of Washington, D.C., the complexities of evolving laws and regulations, and the ever-changing political climate allow him to devise strategies that are end game–oriented.  As a result, many of David’s clients retain him again and again, and some have been with him for decades.
 

Organizes a wide range of trade associations and other tax-exempt organizations, representing them before the courts, Congress and federal, state and interstate compact commissions and agencies.

Counsels a variety 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.

Defends candidates and political donors, as well as U.S. and foreign political officials, in federal and state criminal and administrative agency enforcement proceedings, including at trial.

Helped to develop and administer an online federal and 50-state lobbying registration and reporting service, as well as an online state campaign finance and lobbying compliance guide.

Prevailed in federal appellate cases involving the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause, legislative and executive separation of powers in cases including those involving criminal charges against a member of Congress, invalidation of regulations based on an appropriations “rider” and overly broad municipal ordinances.

Provides advice and counsel to organizations governed by interstate compacts.

Represents clients on a range of environmental and administrative law issues involving federal fisheries, national wilderness area and wildlife refuges, as well as regarding the National Environmental Policy Act.

Creatively employs federal laws, policies and treaties, such as the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) and the Information Quality Act (IQA) to solve a wide range of regulatory matters on behalf of clients including proceedings before the Commerce Department, Federal Communications Commission, Army Corp of Engineers, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency.

Assists 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.

Assists clients to obtain legislative relief and opportunity, including following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Represented clients as the plaintiff or interveners in dozens of federal and state cases involving the application of federal and state environmental laws and regulations.
 

The Best Lawyers in America^© (Woodward/White, Inc.), Government Relations Practice, 2010-2018.

Ranked nationally as a leading practitioner in the Government: Political Law area by Chambers USA, 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, 2011-2017.  

American Bar Association, Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section, Criminal Process Committee, chair