Steve Churchwell is a partner in DLA Piper’s Government Affairs group. Since 1982, he has assisted clients in charting a successful course through the challenging waters of California government and politics. He represents corporations, associations and governmental agencies in the areas of regulatory issues, elections/campaign finance, ethics and conflicts of interest, and related litigation.

He serves as lead counsel to coalitions involved in high-stakes initiative and referendum campaigns in California. Mr. Churchwell also defends clients against governmental enforcement actions, assists clients with legislation and regulations, helps them obtain state and local contracts, develops compliance programs for regulated clients, and devises sound political strategies.

Mr. Churchwell’s positions in state government were:

• General Counsel, California Fair Political Practices Commission (1993-2000)
• Chief Counsel, Cal-OSHA Appeals Board (1989-1993)
• Legal Counsel, California Office of Administrative Law (1984-1986)
• Legislative Intern (1979, 1981)

His areas of concentration include:

• Ballot measures (initiatives, referenda and recalls)
• Energy
• Governance, Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
• Government Contracts
• Healthcare
• Industrial Relations
• Internal Investigations
• Regulation of PACs and Lobbying