Chip Nielsen
Jim Parrinello
Marguerite Leoni
Steve Lucas
Jason Kaune
Chris Skinnell
Sean Welch
Darrin Lim
Elli Abdoli
Cate Castonguay*
2350 Kerner Blvd
Suite 250
San Rafael, CA 94901
Ph 415.389.6800
Fx 415.388.6874
SACRAMENTO OFFICE
Steve Merksamer
Jim Gross
Eric Miethke
Gene Erbin
Cathy Christian
Dick Martland
Kurt Oneto
John J. Moffatt
1415 L Street
Suite 1200
Sacramento, CA 95814
Ph 916.446.6752
Fx 916.446.6106
*not a member of the California Bar
Nielsen Merksamer Law Firm Announces New Partners and Associates
Nielsen Merksamer, a law firm specializing in government and political law and related litigation, today announced the elevation of three attorneys to partnership in the firm in 2013.
Chris Skinnell and Sean Welch have been promoted to partner effective January 1, 2013. Darrin Lim has been promoted to partner effective July 1, 2013.
"These individuals have demonstrated great value to both colleagues and clients," said Steve Merksamer, who heads the firm's government law section in Sacramento. "Their skills and experience add real value for our clients, and their promotions are a recognition of their tremendous contributions and reflect the unique breadth and extensive reach of our firm's practice."
Skinnell specializes in law and civil litigation relating to elections, campaign finance, redistricting, tribal gaming and general constitutional and government law matters. He has also served as counsel to a number of ballot measure committees, independent expenditure committees and political action committees. During the 2012 election, he successfully defended clients in litigation over burdensome campaign disclaimers and unfair ballot measure labels.
Welch is experienced in election, campaign and government law and specializes in guiding clients through the complexities of the initiative referendum process. Welch, a litigator, also serves as legal counsel and Treasurer to political committees and nonprofit associations, and provides guidance to these groups on a wide variety of federal, state and local disclosure requirements. In 2012, he successfully represented opponents to a controversial land use ballot measure in Napa County.
Lim specializes in national compliance issues, advising Fortune 500 companies and other donors on campaign, lobbying and ethics laws. He specializes in assisting with the development and administration of compliance programs for corporate and federal PAC campaign contribution activity, multi-jurisdictional lobbying and federal, state and local gift activity. In the June 2012 election he represented the committee behind the defeat of California's Proposition 29, which included a lengthy recounting process.
The firm also announced that Jay Carson and Hilary Gibson have become associate attorneys in the firm, working in the areas of political law compliance and election and government law litigation.
"Recognizing and rewarding outstanding talent is essential to maintaining the best teams and advice that our clients expect," said the firm's head of litigation, James Parrinello.
"These individuals represent the next generation of leaders at Nielsen Merksamer, and their collective contributions will help ensure our success in the years to come," said the firm's head of political law, Chip Nielsen.
For nearly 40 years, Nielsen Merksamer has specialized in government, political and initiative law, trial and appellate litigation, taxation and tax policy, civil and constitutional rights, voting rights and redistricting, and regulatory agency law. Nielsen Merksamer's national clientele includes businesses, associations, individuals, and public agencies. One-third of Fortune's Top 20 Largest U.S. Companies turn to Nielsen Merksamer for legal counsel in political matters including compliance with campaign, lobby disclosures, and government ethics laws. Nielsen Merksamer is also widely regarded as one of the top lobby firms in the State of California. For more information visit http://web.nmgovlaw.com/.
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For full bios and head shots please visit http://web.nmgovlaw.com/ or call (916) 446-6752.