FIRST IN PI — LITIGATION FINANCE GROUP TAPS ALUM OF FOE:Paul Kong is joining the International Legal Finance Association, which represents litigation finance firms, as the group’s executive director and an ex officio board member. Kong is a Chuck Hagel alum and has been a senior fellow at the Lugar Center since 2016, but before that he spent two years with one of ILFA’s chief detractors, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as a director of the Chamber’s international division.
— The Chamber for years has called for curbs on third-party litigation funding, which gives financiers a cut of settlements or judgments from cases in which they invest, arguing the practice incentivizes “non-meritorous” (and expensive) lawsuits against businesses and that it could pose a threat to national security while diverting monetary awards away from plaintiffs.
— The Chamber has pushed for disclosure requirements for litigation funding. ILFA, whose members specialize in commercial litigation financing, has dismissed calls for such requirements as unfounded.
— Still, the head of the Justice Department’s FARA Unit reaffirmed last year that foreign litigation funding is an area of interest in terms of the unit’s enforcement priorities. In November, the FARA Unit released an advisory opinion and follow-up letter in which it told a U.S. law firm that it was required to register under FARA for accepting funding from a foreign nongovernmental organization in order to bring litigation on behalf of third-party plaintiffs.
— Moreover, FARA chief Evan Turgeon said last month during a Q&A session with FARA attorneys that certain legal actions like “patent litigation, and litigation designed to obtain via discovery something that the foreign government or foreign principal wanted and couldn't obtain some other legal way, that's a potential national security concern, I believe.”
SPOTTED on Friday night at Ballard Partners' inauguration party at Mastro's Steakhouse, per a tipster: Ballard Partners' Brian Ballard and Justin Sayfie; Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio and Jeanette Rubio; Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.); Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.), Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) and Aaron Bean (R-Fla.); Brian Hughes and Trent Morse of the transition team; French Ambassador to the U.S. Laurent Bili; Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Shigeo Yamada; Azerbaijani Ambassador to the U.S. Khazar Ibrahim; TikTok's Michael Beckerman; Lilette Advisors' Ankit Desai; American Global Strategies' Alex Gray; the Panama Embassy's Emanuel Delvalle; Fugees rapper Pras Michel; Palantir's Alexander Alden; Rubin, Turnbull & Associates’ Caroline Wiles; Whitespace's Jackie Barbieri; Motion Picture Association's Joshua Rogin and Gail MacKinnon; Coca-Cola's Elizabeth Thompson; Enterprise Mobility's Downey Magallanes; P2 Public Affairs' Jordan Wiggins; Daravi Strategies' Roma Daravi; Kamran Daravi Consulting's Kamran Daravi; Reynolds' Rich Haselwood; Goldman Sachs' Mike Thompson; Amazon's Mike Ward; Shein's Donald Tang; Comcast's Lance West and Tom Reid; TotalEnergies' Bill Burlew; Computer & Communications Industry Association's Brian McMillan; U.S. Sugar's Eric Edwards; Leonardo DRS's Matt Green; Florida SugarCane League's Ryan Weston; Chevron's Karen Knutson, Lem Smith and Jay Thompson; Brain Aneurysm Foundation's Christine Buckley; and Safety Net Hospital Alliance's Justin Senior.
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IN MEMORIAM: “Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood and feminist activist, died Monday of an aggressive brain cancer,” The 19th’s Shefali Luthra reports. “She was 67. Richards, the daughter of the former Democratic Texas governor, was one of the nation’s most prominent advocates for abortion rights.”
MORE INAUGURAL SPOTTEDS: The Chamber earlier today hosted more than a dozen guests of members of Congress who were to be left out in the cold, so to speak, after the inauguration was moved indoors, reducing the amount of space available.
— SPOTTED among the business leaders at the watch party, per a spokesperson: Chamber President and CEO Suzanne Clark, Ross Perot Jr. of the Perot Group, Gretchen Watkins of Shell USA, Albert Bourla of Pfizer, Heidi Brock of the American Forest & Paper Association, Glenn Hamer of the Texas Association of Business, John Harmon of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, Karen Harbert of the American Gas Association and Mary Beth Sewald of the Vegas Chamber.
— Also SPOTTED at Joe’s on Sunday for an “Innovation Nation” reception hosted by TechNet, ACT - The App Association, BSA - The Software Alliance, the Consumer Technology Association, the Entertainment Software Association, the Information Technology Industry Council, the Software & Information Industry Association, and the XR Association, whose proceeds benefitted Horton’s Kids and Vets in Tech, per a tipster: House Speaker Mike Johnson, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director-designate Michael Kratsios, Lynne Parker, formerly of OSTP, Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Ron Estes (R-Kan.), former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, Victoria Espinel and Gideon Lett of BSA, Linda Moore and Carl Holshouser of TechNet, Stan Pierre-Louis of ESA, Liz Hyman of XRA, Jason Oxman of ITI, Morgan Reed of ACT, Steve Hartell of Amazon, Shannon Kellogg of Amazon Web Services, Hugh Gamble of Salesforce, Chan Park and Johanna Shelton of OpenAI, Neil Grace of McKinsey, Alex Scheuer of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ office, Allison O’Brien of Oracle, Ryan Hagemann of IBM, Jim Shaughnessy and Erica Fensom of DocuSign, Kevin Richards of SAP, Chris Massey of Craft Ventures, Mike Sellitto of Anthropic and Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform.
FRIDAY NIGHT NEWS DUMP: “Denizens of K Street are scrambling to kill GOP proposals that would end numerous tax benefits and shrink dozens of federal programs, after the leak of a detailed menu of options lawmakers are considering to pay for blockbuster legislation,” our Ben Guggenheim writes.
— “The document quickly swept through lobbying shops and trade associations after its disclosure Friday by POLITICO and other news organizations, causing alarm and setting phones buzzing all across town.”
— “Half a dozen lobbyists who have been closely following the GOP's policy package, granted anonymity to share their views, indicated that the menu was so wide-ranging it couldn't be taken as much more than spitballing in some cases.”
— “However, the fact that dozens of proposals were written down, with revenue scores to go along with them, means they have to be taken seriously by lobbyists and trade associations with business interests that are targeted.”
TIKTOK WOOS TRUMP: “With TikTok back online after shutting off for less than a day, the company embarked on an inaugural weekend goodwill tour aimed at incoming President Donald Trump, the person the video-sharing app is counting on to save it in the long term,” our Sophia Cai reports.
— “CEO Shou Chew was spotted at pre-inauguration prayers Monday, a capstone on a weekend of parties” in Trump’s honor, which included the company donating to a party for Gen Z Trump supporters in addition to treating pro-Trump influencers to a Washington Capitals game in the company’s suite.
— On the app itself, Saturday night’s shutdown and restoration on Sunday were “punctuated … with notes of appreciation to Trump,” who returned the favor with pledges to save TikTok in the long term throughout the weekend.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT DOGE:Bloomberg’s Gregory Korte and Ted Mann report that “the legions of lobbyists who have long worked the halls of Congress and federal agencies to secure their policy priorities have a new target: A shadow federal department run by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk.”
— The Department of Government Efficiency, which as of this morning will be led by Musk alone, “doesn’t yet — and may never — have any formalized responsibilities or authority. … But already, companies and industry groups have started looking to the DOGE, above the more traditional committees of Congress and federal agencies, to advance their agendas and protect their interests.”
— “The urgency to make inroads with Musk’s group underscores how special interests see the billionaire as a shortcut to Trump, a way to push their issues to the front of the line. It also shows how an entity ostensibly created to disrupt politics as usual is quickly becoming a target for Washington’s seasoned advocacy apparatus.”
AN AWKWARD START FOR CRYPTO: Trump and his family used the final days before his swearing in to launch a new crypto product, which swiftly gave way to ethics concerns, but also prompted grumbles from the crypto industry on the eve of its parallel coronation in Washington, our Jasper Goodman and Declan Harty report.
— “Trump’s move on Friday to introduce a so-called memecoin — a crypto token with no real-world value that traders can invest in — has triggered alarm among investors and industry representatives in Washington that the new coin will provide ammunition to critics who accuse crypto of being rife with fraud and risk to consumers.”
— “‘It’s absolutely preposterous that he would do this,’ said Nic Carter, founding partner at the crypto investment firm Castle Island Ventures who describes himself as an ‘avowed and explicit’ Trump supporter. ‘They’re plumbing new depths of idiocy with the memecoin launch.’”
— “The concern illustrates the risk Trump is taking by launching a new crypto product just days before his inauguration. Memecoins — a class of crypto sometimes referred to as ‘shitcoins’ that includes digital assets with names like Dogecoin and Fartcoin — are speculative assets that are highly volatile by nature. If investors lose money on the coin, it could become a liability for both Trump and the crypto sector.”
PI REAL ESTATE CORNER: “President Biden warned in his farewell address to the nation last week that an oligarchy is taking shape in America. In Washington, the oligarchs are already here, buying big houses,” The New York Times’ Elisabeth Bumiller writes.
— But it’s not just the wave of ultra-wealthy megadonors who hope to soon populate Trump’s Cabinet who are driving the luxury housing boom in D.C., per the Times. “Jonathan Taylor, a founder and managing partner of TTR Sotheby’s, said that the rich with connections to the administration, although not necessarily a part of it, are moving here too. ‘There are a lot of very wealthy people looking for a seat at the table,’ he said.”
— Donors “would like to get the policies they believe in from the federal government — more oil drilling, easier antitrust policy, more favorable crypto policy, less bank oversight. They also want more support for helping American companies invest overseas, and have ready access to government officials,” added Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein.
SPOTTED at an inauguration cocktail party hosted by Cunningham Communications, The Washington Times and WMAL, per a tipster: Reps. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) incoming special envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, Chris Plante, Vince Coglianese and Larry O'Connor of WMAL, Chris Dolan, Kelly Sadler, Alex Swoyer and Guy Taylor of The Washington Times, Sean Spicer, Mike Davis of the Article III Project, Grover Norquist of ATR, Everett Alvarez, Jason Redman, Kenny Cunningham of Cunningham Communications, Jorge Martinez of America First Policy Institute, Mike Paradiso of Radio America, Russell Dye of Rep. Jim Jordan’s (R-Ohio) office, Blake Kernan of Sen. Susan Collins’ (R-Maine) office, Suhail Khan of Microsoft, Harold Lyons of Rep. Mike Rogers’ (R-Ala.) office and Brigid Mary McDonnell of Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s (R-Tenn.) office.
Jobs report
— American Moment has named Nick Solheim its CEO, effective immediately. Solheim has been the co-founder and chief operations officer of American Moment since its launch in 2020.
— Bailey Bishop is now a senior legislative associate at the American Legion. She was previously a legislative assistant for Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.).
— Kailee Tkacz Buller will be chief of staff at USDA under Secretary-designate Brooke Rollins. She previously has been president and CEO of the National Oilseed Processors Association.
Innovative Advocacy LLC: National Precast Concrete Association
Invariant LLC: Slingshot Aerospace
Jim Massie & Partners, LLC: American Exploration & Production Council
Jim Massie & Partners, LLC: Energy Infrastructure Council
J M Burkman & Associates: American Aviation Industries LLC
J M Burkman & Associates: Danisa Group LLC
J M Burkman & Associates: Elevated Resources Inc.
J M Burkman & Associates: Haya Swed
K&L Gates, LLP: American Association Of Port Authorities
K&L Gates, LLP: Peak Nanosystems, LLC
K&L Gates, LLP: Prn Software
K&L Gates, LLP: Salem Township Fire Company #2
K&L Gates, LLP: Transphorm Inc
Law Offices Of Edward M Ruckert: California Avocado Commission
Leatherstocking LLC: Plurus Strategies (On Behalf Of Me2C Environmental)
Lee Sanders Strategy Group, LLC: General Mills Services, Inc.
Live Oak Strategies: Jst Strategic Technologies
Lot Sixteen LLC: Advanced Energy United (Fka Advanced Energy Economy)
Lot Sixteen LLC: American Physical Society
Lot Sixteen LLC: Fostering American Brands For Responsible Imports And Choice (Fabric) Coalition
Mcdermott+ LLC (F.K.A.Mcdermott+Consulting LLC): The Permanente Federation
Mercury Public Affairs, LLC: Camel Energy Inc.
Mindset Advocacy, LLC (Fka Cypress Advocacy, LLC): American Investment Council
Mindset Advocacy, LLC (Fka Cypress Advocacy, LLC): The Blackstone Group Inc.
Mindset Advocacy, LLC (Fka Cypress Advocacy, LLC): Willis North America Inc.
Mww Group: Georgian Court University
Neale Creek, LLC: Springfield Armory
Ogr: Ameren
Ogr: Penske Truck Leasing Company, L.P.
O'Hara Federal Strategies, LLC: Norfolk Southern Corporation
O'Hara Federal Strategies, LLC: Oxford House, Inc.
O'Neill And Associates: Boston Ballet
O'Neill And Associates: Leader Bank
O'Neill And Associates: Rail Modal Group, LLC
O'Neill And Associates: Talmi Entertainment
O'Rourke And Associates, LLC: Bath & Body Works, Inc.
Plurus Strategies, LLC: Trumpf Photonics
Prime Policy Group: Ip3
Prime Policy Group: Puerto Rico House Of Representatives
Prime Policy Group: Senate Of Puerto Rico
Public Strategies Washington, Inc.: Smith Bagley Inc
Putalastrategies: Asml US LLC
Putalastrategies: Coupang, Inc.
Putalastrategies: Hotwire Communications, Ltd
Putalastrategies: Indivior
Putalastrategies: Internet & Television Association
Putalastrategies: Signet Group Services
Putalastrategies: Slm Corporation
Rising Tide Associates: Swm International
Sidley Austin LLP: Aquabounty Technologies, Inc.
Sidley Austin LLP: Illumina, Inc.
Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc.: Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc.
Sims Strategies, LLC: Alliance Of Community Health Plans
Sjsolutions Pllc: Delta Air Lines
Smithbucklin Corporation: Academy Of Medical-Surgical Nurses
Squire Patton Boggs: City Of Greenville Sc
Squire Patton Boggs: City Of Las Vegas
Summit Strategies Government Affairs LLC: Charles & Potomac Capital LLC
Summit Strategies Government Affairs LLC: Oregon Association Of Relief Nurseries
Summit Strategies Government Affairs LLC: Oregon Independent Medical Clinics
Tai Ginsberg & Associates, LLC: Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc.
The Raben Group: Brennan Center For Justice
The Raben Group: Charter Communications
The Raben Group: Discovery Communications, LLC
The Raben Group: Growth Opportunity Partners, Inc.
The Raben Group: New Venture Fund
The Raben Group: T-Mobile
The Raben Group: Verizon
The Wigglesworth Company (Teresa N. Wigglesworth): Baker Commodities Inc
Thorn Run Partners: Comcast Corporation
Thorn Run Partners: Ebay Inc
Thorn Run Partners: Rtx Corporation And Affiliates
Thorn Run Partners: Seekout
Thorn Run Partners: Transportation Agency For Monterey County
Tiber Creek Group: Andretti Formula Racing, LLC
Tiber Creek Group: Deutsche Bank USa (Fka Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.)
Tiber Creek Group: Johnson Controls Inc.
Tiger Hill Partners LLC: Paradigm Operations Lp
Townsend Public Affairs, Inc: Affordable Community Living Corporation
Townsend Public Affairs, Inc: American Veterans Assistance Group
Townsend Public Affairs, Inc: City Of Wheatland
Van Ness Feldman, LLP: Growth Energy
Van Ness Feldman, LLP: Shell Oil Company
Van Scoyoc Associates: County Of Sonoma, Ca
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