Stephen Klein Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

Aggressively defending citizens’ rights against overzealous prosecutors and bureaucratic inquisitors in defensive and offensive civil litigation, with special focus on First Amendment and Second Amendment matters. Counsel to undercover journalists, focusing on compliance matters, civil litigation against unconstitutional restrictions on secret recording, and defending against lawsuits that seek to censor investigative reporting.Providing campaign finance and election law counsel to candidates, campaigns, PACs and other politically engaged organizations. Lobbying and consulting to enact state-level public policies that respect individual rights over red tape.

Phoenix, Arizona, Us

Co-counsel in a successful defense of a campaign finance prosecution brought under unconstitutionally overbroad laws.Counsel in two successful “ballot selfie” cases, First Amendment challenges to prohibitions on photography in polling places and displaying one’s own marked ballot online.Counsel in successful free speech challenges to federal and state campaign finance regulations, including irregular contribution limits and prohibitions on convention delegates.Authored an amicus curiae brief cited by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Cary v. Texas, overturning bribery convictions for campaign finance activity.Counsel in a First Amendment challenge to restrictions on access and use of Maryland’s registered voter list.

Cheyenne, Wy, Us

Selected Litigation Experience:--Counsel in three successful free speech lawsuits in Wyoming, overturning the state’s aggregate contribution limit, ending a contribution disparity between major and minor party candidates, and eliminating an unconstitutional sign ordinance. --Co-author of two amicus curiae briefs in DeLay v. Texas, the only First Amendment arguments made in Tom DeLay’s appeals which ended in overturning money laundering convictions based on legal campaign finance activity. Selected Lobbying Experience:--Lobbied in favor of bills to reform civil asset forfeiture in Wyoming (House Bill 76, 2014; Senate File 14, 2015; Senate File 46, 2016). In 2016, SF46 passed the Wyoming Legislature unanimously and was signed into law. --Drafted and lobbied on behalf of a bill to allow Wyoming counties to recognize RS2477 rights of way over federal land (House Bill 182, 2013; House Bill 115, 2014; House Bill 124, 2015).--Researched, drafted and lobbied on behalf of a bill to open Wyoming’s borders to out-of-state health insurance policies (House Bill 119, 2012). An amended version of the bill passed in the 2013 Session (House Bill 82, 2013).--Consulted with Wyoming legislators and provided expert testimony to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees regarding the Health Care Freedom Amendment (Senate Joint Resolution 2, 2011). The bill passed the Senate 23-7 and the House 49-11, achieving the 2/3 majorities required for a state constitutional amendment. In November 2012, the people of Wyoming adopted the amendment (Amendment A) with 77% approval.

Us

Researched and prepared memoranda on campaign finance issues—including electioneering, coordinated communications, and disclosure requirements—for Commissioners David Mason and Donald McGahn.Revised drafts of advisory opinions, rulemakings and other documents to reflect the views of the Commissioners.

Juris Doctor, Law

B.A., Political Science