In 2012 race, lawyers, law firms contribute twice as much to Obama than Romney

President Barack Obama so far has outpaced Mitt Romney in donations from lawyers by more than a two-to-one margin, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

President Barack Obama so far has outpaced Mitt Romney in donations from lawyers by more than a two-to-one margin, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. Lawyers and law firms have donated a combined $24.3 million to all of the presidential candidates during the 2011-2012 election cycle, the second most of any job sector, according to the nonpartisan center and its website, opensecrets.org. Of the two main presidential contenders, Obama received the most money, $15.4 million, while Mitt Romney hauled in almost $6.8 million. Attorneys and firms were second only to retired people, who donated $63.2 million to the candidates. The Center for Responsive Politics defines lawyers and law firms as both members of firms and “trade organizations that promote legislation beneficial to the industry.” Despite receiving more than twice as much lawyer money as Romney, Obama’s donations paled in comparison to what he received four years ago. During the 2007-2008 election cycle, lawyers and law firms donated $46.5 million to Obama, compared to $10.4 million to the GOP nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain. Hillary Clinton hauled in $16.5 million during the same cycle. On its website, the center says that it collected its contribution data from the Federal Election Commission. The totals, taken from FEC reports through August 21 of this year, include political action committee contributions as well as those from individuals giving more than $200. According to the center, the top five legal groups, including law firms, that gave to Democratic and Republican candidates overall in 2011-2012, included the trial lawyers’ group called American Association for Justice; the Mostyn Law Firm; Kirkland & Ellis; DLA Piper; and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Those five groups contributed a combined $8.6 million. The center’s site does not break down which legal groups gave the most to individual candidates in the presidential campaign. The Romney campaign did not respond to a request for comment. The Obama campaign could not be reached for comment. Contact Matthew Huisman at [email protected].

This content has been archived. It is available exclusively through our partner LexisNexis®.

To view this content, please continue to Lexis Advance®.

Not a Lexis Advance® Subscriber? Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® is now the exclusive third party online distributor of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® customers will be able to access and use ALM's content by subscribing to the LexisNexis® services via Lexis Advance®. This includes content from the National Law Journal®, The American Lawyer®, Law Technology News®, The New York Law Journal® and Corporate Counsel®, as well as ALM's other newspapers, directories, legal treatises, published and unpublished court opinions, and other sources of legal information.

ALM's content plays a significant role in your work and research, and now through this alliance LexisNexis® will bring you access to an even more comprehensive collection of legal content.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]

Trending Stories

 

Featured Product

Global Briefing

A weekly, curated selection of our international content from around the globe, across the business of law, in-house, regulatory, technology and more, with expert insights from our senior editors.

Learn More

More from ALM

 

ALM Legal Publication Newsletters

Sign Up Today and Never Miss Another Story.

As part of your digital membership, you can sign up for an unlimited number of a wide range of complimentary newsletters. Visit your My Account page to make your selections. Get the timely legal news and critical analysis you cannot afford to miss. Tailored just for you. In your inbox. Every day.

Privacy Policy

About Us / Contact Us / Site Map / Advertise With Us/ Customer Service / Terms of Service/ FAQ / Privacy Policy

Publications

Law Topics

Rankings

More

Law.com

Copyright © 2020 ALM Media Properties, LLC. All Rights Reserved.