Matthew T. Sanderson leads the Firm’s Political Law Group and is a Member in the Exempt Organizations Group. Chambers ranks Mr. Sanderson in Band 1 of attorneys in the field, with clients noting that he “understands the landscape with such a depth of detail … and is the consummate political law practitioner.”
Services
Mr. Sanderson helps corporations, political committees, lobbying firms, law firms, candidates, and advocacy groups comply with the complex federal, state, and local laws that govern political activity, including campaign finance, "pay-to-play," government ethics, and lobbying disclosure regulations. Mr. Sanderson also advises clients on the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and defends parties before the Department of Justice and Congress that face FARA-related inquiries.
Highlights
Mr. Sanderson has served as counsel to Senator John McCain, Senator Mitt Romney, Governor Jon Huntsman Jr., and many other candidates for national office. He was a legal consultant for Netflix’s hit series House of Cards and received the Peabody Award, alongside Stephen Colbert’s The Colbert Report team, for efforts related to the “Colbert Super PAC.” Mr. Sanderson was also a founder of PlayoffPAC, which was nominated for Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year award for its work in bringing down college football's prior post-season system, the Bowl Championship Series.
Mr. Sanderson is the co-editor of Thomson Reuters’ legal treatise on political law, a member of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Election Law, a co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Task Force on the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and an Adjunct Faculty Member at the University of Virginia School of Law, where he teaches an advanced course on the regulation of elections and political advocacy. He serves as editor of FARA.us, a comprehensive online resource of information about the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and is frequently quoted on political matters in national media outlets, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, POLITICO, and The Associated Press. Mr. Sanderson is an on-air Election Law Analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. He is also a Trustee for the American Council of Young Political Leaders, a nonprofit that connects rising political leaders in the U.S. and around the world.
Mr. Sanderson is a graduate of the University of Utah and Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was a Chancellor's Scholar. He has four children with his wife, Emily.
Admissions & Education
Bar & Court Admissions
- District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Education
J.D., Vanderbilt Law School, 2008
B.A., The University of Utah, 2005, cum laude
Languages
- Mandarin
Recognitions & Noteworthy
Honors & Recognitions
- Chambers USA, 2014-Present
- American Bar Association International Law Section, Outstanding Project Award, FARA: Issues and Recommendations for Reform, 2021
- Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Washington, D.C., 2013-2020
- Alumni Association, The University of Utah Par Excellence Award, 2016
- The Washingtonian, Top Lawyer, 2015, 2017
- The Washington Post, Among the Top Attorneys in D.C., 2014
Professional Activities & Affiliations
Other Professional Affiliations
Member, American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Election Law
Member, American Bar Association, Task Force on the Foreign Agents Registration Act
Newsroom & Publications
News
- 06.06.2024 | Firm Release
- 01.03.2024 | POLITICO Influence
- 06.06.2023 | POLITICO Influence
- 06.02.2023 | POLITICO Influence
- 06.01.2023 | Awards & Rankings
- 05.14.2023 | New York Times
- 05.02.2023 | POLITICO Influence
- 11.08.2022 | NBC News
- 11.04.2022 | POLITICO Influence
- 09.19.2022 | POLITICO Influence
- 09.16.2022 | POLITICO Influence
- 08.05.2022 | Reuters
- 06.03.2022 | Awards & Rankings
- 05.17.2022 | POLITICO
- 04.29.2022 | POLITICO Influence
- 02.16.2022 | Reuters
- 01.14.2022 | POLITICO Influence
- 12.22.2021 | POLITICO Influence
- 11.24.2021 | ABA Journal
- 11.15.2021 | Law360 Pulse
- 11.04.2021 | Axios
- 11.04.2021 | POLITICO Influence
- 10.05.2021 | Awards & Rankings
- 09.30.2021
- 09.30.2021 | POLITICO Influence
- 05.20.2021 | Awards & Rankings
- 01.14.2021 | The New York Times
- 01.04.2021 | NBC News
- 01.03.2021 | The New York Times
- 11.27.2020 | MSNBC
- 11.24.2020 | NBC News
- 11.23.2020 | MSNBC
- 11.17.2020 | MSNBC
- 11.10.2020 | MSNBC
- 11.09.2020 | MSNBC
- 11.06.2020 | TODAY
- 11.06.2020 | MSNBC
- 11.05.2020 | MSNBC Live with Hallie Jackson
- 11.05.2020 | TODAY
- 11.04.2020 | NBC Nightly News
- 11.02.2020 | TODAY
- 11.02.2020 | NBC Nightly News
- 10.09.2020 | POLITICO Influence
- 10.09.2020 | Washington Post
- 09.23.2020 | Salon
- 09.05.2020 | New York Times
- 08.01.2020 | Weekend TODAY
- 07.30.2020 | NBC News
- 07.30.2020 | ProPublica
- 07.23.2020 | ProPublica
- 06.30.2020 | The NonProfit Times
- 06.23.2020 | Politico
- 06.23.2020 | Law.com
- 05.14.2020 | The Wall Street Journal
- 05.05.2020 | Awards & Rankings
- 05.04.2020 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
- 04.03.2020
- 03.20.2020 | The New York Times
- 03.20.2020 | ABC News
- 03.20.2020 | The Wall Street Journal
- 02.28.2020 | CNN
- 02.24.2020 | The Washington Post
- 02.21.2020 | ProPublica
- 12.13.2019 | New York Times
- 11.27.2019 | The Washington Post
- 10.17.2019 | NBC News
- 10.16.2019 | USA Today
- 10.15.2019 | The Washington Post
- 10.08.2019 | CNN
- 09.26.2019 | Forbes
- 09.24.2019 | POLITICO Influence
- 09.11.2019 | Associated Press
- 08.11.2019 | The New York Times
- 08.08.2019 | Law360
- 04.25.2019 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 04.22.2019 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
- 04.15.2019 | The American Lawyer
- 04.11.2019 | POLITICO
- 04.11.2019 | The New York Times
- 01.22.2019 | www.FARA.us
- 12.30.2018 | POLITICO
- 09.18.2018 | The Washington Post
- 07.25.2018 | Associated Press
- 07.10.2018 | Sports Illustrated
- 05.25.2018 | The Washington Post
- 05.05.2018 | NPR
- 05.04.2018 | The Washington Post
- 05.04.2018 | CNN
- 05.03.2018 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 05.03.2018 | The Washington Post
- 04.23.2018
- 03.14.2018 | The Washington Post
- 01.07.2018 | The New York Times
- 06.02.2017 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 04.27.2017 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
- 01.13.2017 | The Wall Street Journal
- 01.13.2017 | Fortune
- 01.12.2017 | POLITICO
- 01.12.2017 | ABC News
- 01.12.2017 | ABC News
- 01.12.2017 | CBS Radio
- 01.11.2017 | The New York Times
- 01.10.2017 | NBC's TODAY
- 01.09.2017 | The New York Times
- 01.09.2017 | POLITICO
- 01.07.2017 | The New York Times
- 12.15.2016 | WNYC's The Takeaway
- 12.13.2016 | ABC News
- 12.13.2016 | POLITICO
- 12.05.2016 | ABC News
- 11.30.2016 | POLITICO
- 11.28.2016 | ProPublica
- 11.23.2016 | ABC News
- 11.22.2016 | CNN
- 11.21.2016 | McClatchy
- 11.17.2016 | CNN
- 11.16.2016 | The New York Times
- 11.14.2016 | The New York Times
- 08.11.2016 | The Hill
- 06.01.2016 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 04.26.2016 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
- 03.14.2016 | The University of Utah Alumni Association E-Newsletter, Awards & Rankings
- 11.19.2015 | Both
- 05.19.2015 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 04.23.2015 | Caplin & Drysdale, Both
- 02.24.2015 | The Advocate
- 02.02.2015 | Caplin & Drysdale, Press Release
- 08.13.2014 | Deseret News
- 07.01.2014 | NBC News Investigations
- 06.05.2014 | Deseret News
- 06.05.2014 | The Salt Lake Tribune
- 05.28.2014 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 04.30.2014 | The Washington Post, Awards & Rankings
- 04.03.2014 | POLITICO
- 04.03.2014 | The Salt Lake Tribune
- 02.12.2014 | The Advocate
- 01.26.2014 | New Republic
- 01.08.2014 | The New York Times
- 06.27.2013 | Press Release
- 06.22.2013 | Netroots Nation
- 04.29.2013 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
- 03.26.2013 | The Salt Lake Tribune
- 03.01.2013 | Press Release
- 02.03.2012 | The Boston Globe
- 12.14.2011 | ESPN
- 11.20.2011 | The Washington Post
- 11.18.2011 | Sports Illustrated
- 10.16.2011 | The Examiner
- 08.28.2011 | The Hill
- 08.17.2011 | The Washington Post
- 08.12.2011 | ESPN
- 08.08.2011 | Washington Post
- 07.05.2011 | POLITICO
- 07.01.2011 | Washingtonian
- 05.11.2011 | USA Today
- 05.04.2011 | Fox Business
- 04.06.2011 | The Washington Post
- 01.09.2011 | The New York TImes
- 12.30.2010 | Daily Tax Report
- 09.23.2010 | Bloomberg
- 09.22.2010 | The Seattle Times
- 09.22.2010 | The New York Times
- 09.14.2010 | The New York Times
- 02.25.2010 | The Hill
- 01.06.2010 | USA Today
- 01.05.2010 | POLTICO
- 01.04.2010 | NPR
- 01.04.2010 | USA Today
- 12.30.2009 | POLITICO
- 12.29.2009 | Deseret News
- 12.21.2009 | CBS News
- 12.09.2009 | ESPN
- 12.09.2009 | CBS News
- 12.09.2009 | The Wall Street Journal
- 12.07.2009 | Deseret News
- 11.23.2009 | POLITICO
- 10.31.2009 | Deseret News
- 10.27.2009 | Roll Call
- 10.23.2009 | Fox Business
- 10.22.2009 | CBS News
- 10.19.2009 | ESPN
Speaking Engagements
- 02.28.2024 | Virtual
- 12.01.2023 | National Harbor, MD
- Matthew Sanderson Co-Chairs American Conference Institute's 4th National Forum on FARA12.08.2022 | Washington, DC
- Matthew Sandeson Co-Chairs ACI 4th National Forum on FARA11.08.2022 | Washington Hilton, Washington, DC
- Matthew Sanderson Co-Chairs American Conference Institute's National Forum on FARA12.09.2021
- 11.09.2021
- Matthew Sanderson Co-Chairs American Conference Institute's National Forum on FARA12.04.2020
- Matthew Sanderson Addresses Music and Political Campaigns on Columbia Law School Webinar10.08.2020
- 10.05.2020
- 06.15.2020
- 01.24.2020
- Matthew Sanderson Co-Chairs American Conference Institute's National Forum on FARA09.25.2019
- 04.10.2019
- Matthew Sanderson Addresses Money, Disclosure & Free Speech at Journal of Law & Politics Symposium03.05.2019
- 11.19.2018
- Trevor Potter and Matthew Sanderson to Speak on Campaign Finance in the 2014 Election and in the Future11.10.2014
- 10.13.2014
- 10.13.2014
- Matthew Sanderson to Speak on Effective Advocacy in Washington09.15.2014
- 09.10.2014
- 04.11.2014
- 07.20.2013
- 06.22.2013
- 05.08.2012
Publications & Alerts
- 02.02.2023 | Political Law Alert
- 10.10.2022 | Political Law Alert
- 06.28.2022 | Exempt Organizations Alert
- 09.29.2021 | American Bar Association, International Law Section
- 02.02.2021 | Political Law Alert
- 01.22.2021 | Political Law Alert
- 11.13.2020 | The Washington Post Op-Ed, Article
- 05.06.2020 | Political Law Alert
- 04.16.2020 | Political Law Alert
- 04.06.2020 | Political Law Alert
- 03.18.2020 | Political Law Alert
- 10.03.2019 | Political Law Alert
- 10.03.2019 | Political Law Alert
- 09.10.2019 | Exempt Organizations Alert
- 08.05.2019 | Political Law Alert
- 08.01.2019 | Exempt Organizations Alert
- 07.30.2019 | Political Law Alert
- 03.07.2019 | Political Law Alert
- 03.06.2019 | Political Law Alert
- 02.07.2019 | Political Law Alert
- 09.28.2018 | Political Law Alert
- 09.19.2018 | Political Law Alert
- 08.09.2018 | Political Law Alert
- 07.17.2018 | Exempt Organizations Alert
- 06.11.2018 | Political Law Alert
- 05.21.2018 | Political Law Alert
- 05.03.2018 | Political Law Alert
- 02.02.2017 | Political Law Alert
- 02.01.2017 | Political Law Alert
- 01.27.2017 | Political Law Alert
- 11.18.2016 | Political Law Alert
- 08.11.2016 | The Hill, Article
- 07.05.2016 | Political Law Alert
- 04.27.2016 | Political Law Alert
- 03.24.2016 | Political Law Alert
- 01.25.2016 | Political Law Alert
- 12.01.2015 | Political Law Alert
- 08.31.2015 | Political Law Alert
- 02.03.2015 | Political Law Alert
- 12.17.2014 | Political Law Alert
- 10.01.2014 | Political Law Alert
- 06.26.2014 | Political Law Alert
- 04.02.2014 | Political Law Alert
- 01.01.2014 | West Publishing, 3d, 2013-2014 ed., Book
- 06.21.2013 | Political Law Alert
- 04.04.2013 | Political Law Alert
- 04.04.2013 | Political Law Alert
- 01.30.2013 | Political Law Alert
- 09.27.2012 | Political Law Alert
- 05.15.2012 | Political Law Alert
- 04.05.2012 | Political Law Alert
- 02.07.2012 | Political Law Alert
- 07.11.2011 | Exempt Organizations Alert
- 06.14.2011 | Exempt Organizations Alert
- 02.07.2011 | Political Law Alert
- 01.03.2011 | ABA Lobbying Manual, Article
- 04.30.2010 | Political Law Alert
- 02.12.2010 | Political Law Alert
- 01.25.2010 | Political Law Alert
- 01.06.2010 | The Hill, Article
- Elections: Administrative Law Developments01.01.2010 | American Bar Association, Article
- 10.08.2009 | Political Law Alert
- 10.01.2009 | Political Law Alert
- 07.22.2009 | Political Law Alert
- 06.22.2009 | Political Law Alert
- 06.11.2009 | Political Activity Law Bulletin, Article
- 06.11.2009 | Political Activity Law Bulletin, Article
- 06.11.2009 | Political Activity Law Bulletin, Article
- 06.11.2009 | Political Activity Law Bulletin, Article
- 06.11.2009 | Political Activity Law Bulletin, Article
- 06.04.2009 | Election Law Blog, Article
- 05.01.2009 | CircleID, Article
- 04.11.2009 | The Washington Post, Article
- 04.09.2009 | Virginia Journal of Law and Politics, Article
- 04.06.2009 | Political Activity Law Alert: Important Recent Developments, Article
- 03.26.2009 | Political Law Alert
- 03.12.2009 | Political Law Alert
- 02.18.2009 | Political Law Alert
- 01.16.2009 | Political Activity Law Bulletin, Article
- 01.16.2009 | Political Activity Law Bulletin, Article
- 01.16.2009 | Political Activity Law Bulletin, Article
- Lobbyist Bundling of Campaign Contributions01.01.2009 | ABA Lobbying Manuel, Article
- 01.01.2009 | Election Law Journal, Article
- 10.01.2008 | ABA International Election Law Principles, Article
- 09.01.2008 | Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, Article
- 12.05.2007 | The Politico, Article
Blog Posts
- www.FARA.us | 09.06.2024
- www.FARA.us | 09.05.2024
- www.FARA.us | 08.19.2024
- www.FARA.us | 07.18.2024
- www.FARA.us | 07.18.2024
- www.FARA.us | 06.26.2024
- www.FARA.us | 06.18.2024
- www.FARA.us | 05.23.2024
- www.FARA.us | 01.04.2024
- www.FARA.us | 12.14.2022
- www.FARA.us | 11.04.2022
- www.FARA.us | 10.12.2022
- www.FARA.us | 05.18.2022
- Former US Ambassador to Plead Guilty to Violating Post-Employment Ethics Law in Qatar Representationwww.FARA.us | 05.09.2022
- www.FARA.us | 04.19.2022
- www.FARA.us | 04.06.2022
- www.FARA.us | 03.09.2022
- www.FARA.us | 01.10.2022
- www.FARA.us | 12.09.2021
- www.FARA.us | 10.04.2021
- www.FARA.us | 07.21.2021
- www.FARA.us | 03.18.2021
- www.FARA.us | 02.03.2021
- www.FARA.us | 12.08.2020
- www.FARA.us | 11.09.2020
- www.FARA.us | 09.28.2020
- www.FARA.us | 09.09.2020
- www.FARA.us | 06.26.2020
- www.FARA.us | 06.25.2020
- www.FARA.us | 06.11.2020
- www.FARA.us | 06.04.2020
- www.FARA.us | 05.05.2020
- www.FARA.us | 02.21.2020
- www.FARA.us | 02.04.2020
- www.FARA.us | 10.24.2019
- www.FARA.us | 10.22.2019
- www.FARA.us | 10.07.2019
- www.FARA.us | 09.27.2019
- www.FARA.us | 08.21.2019
- www.FARA.us | 07.25.2019
- www.FARA.us | 06.11.2019
- www.FARA.us | 05.23.2019
- www.FARA.us | 05.08.2019
- www.FARA.us | 04.03.2019
- www.FARA.us | 03.14.2019
- www.FARA.us | 03.07.2019
- www.FARA.us | 02.28.2019
- www.FARA.us | 02.20.2019
- www.FARA.us | 02.15.2019
- www.FARA.us | 02.13.2019
- www.FARA.us | 01.22.2019
- www.FARA.us | 01.21.2019
- www.FARA.us | 01.21.2019