Joseph Sandler
Encyclopedia
Joseph Sandler is a Washington, D.C. attorney who served as in-house general counsel for the Democratic National Committee
from 1993 to 1998 and continued in this role at his firm Sandler, Reiff & Young through 2009. He now serves as an adviser to prominent Democrats, state parties, and progressive organizations, such as Moveon.org.
Sandler shepherded the Democratic National Committee through massive change, including multiple leadership changes, and the implementation of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, that Sandler famously referred to as a "fascist monstrosity" and accurately predicted would result in the national parties' loss of influence.
Sandler was born in 1953 in Baltimore MD, graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College
in 1975 and cum laude from Harvard Law School
in 1978. He served as counsel for the 1996
, 2000
, 2004
and 2008 Democratic National Conventions
; for the Democratic Governors Association
; and through his law firm, for numerous Democratic state party committees and Democratic and progressive advocacy groups, PACs and candidates. During Sandler’s tenure at the DNC, he defended several prominent Democrats and Democratic groups during controversies over alleged improprieties in fundraising and cooperation with 527 groups.
He chaired the task force on reform of FARA for the International Trade Committee of the ABA's Section on International Law; has served on the Executive Committee of the Election Law Committee of the ABA's Administrative Law Section; and currently serves on the Advisory Board of that Committee. He has spoken on numerous panels on campaign finance law and campaign finance reform sponsored by bar associations, colleges and universities and advocacy organizations.
By Joseph E. Sandler and Neil P. Reiff (CCH, 2002).
"Taking some lessons from the top: What in-house counsel can learn from those lost White House e-mails." By Joseph E. Sandler and William A. McComas. Published in Legal Times, June 18, 2007.
"New Campaign Finance Rules and the 2004 Elections." By Joseph E. Sandler and Neil P. Reiff. Campaigns & Elections Magazine, February 2005.
"The Campaign Finance Minefield." An analysis of the impact of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act on state and local party committees. By Joseph E. Sandler and Neil P. Reiff. Campaigns & Elections Magazine, May 2004.
"What's Next for Free Speech: The Supreme Court upholds BCRA and throws open the door to new threats." An op-ed piece regarding the U.S. Supreme Court decision McConnell v. FEC. Joseph E. Sandler, Neil P. Reiff, and Larry S. Gibson. Published in Legal Times (December 15, 2003).
"Are Campaign Finance Laws Ready for the Internet Bandwagon?" Joseph E. Sandler and Neil P. Reiff. Campaigns & Elections Magazine, July 1999.
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
from 1993 to 1998 and continued in this role at his firm Sandler, Reiff & Young through 2009. He now serves as an adviser to prominent Democrats, state parties, and progressive organizations, such as Moveon.org.
Sandler shepherded the Democratic National Committee through massive change, including multiple leadership changes, and the implementation of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, that Sandler famously referred to as a "fascist monstrosity" and accurately predicted would result in the national parties' loss of influence.
Sandler was born in 1953 in Baltimore MD, graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
in 1975 and cum laude from Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
in 1978. He served as counsel for the 1996
1996 Democratic National Convention
The 1996 Democratic National Convention of the was held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois from August 26 to August 29, 1996. Incumbent Democrat Bill Clinton was renominated for President of United States.-Site selection:...
, 2000
2000 Democratic National Convention
The 2000 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention for the Democratic Party. The convention nominated Vice President Al Gore as its candidate for President and Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman as its candidate for Vice President. The convention was held at...
, 2004
2004 Democratic National Convention
The 2004 Democratic National Convention convened from July 26 to July 29, 2004 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts, and nominated John Kerry and John Edwards as the official candidates of the Democratic Party for President and Vice President of the United States, respectively, in the 2004...
and 2008 Democratic National Conventions
2008 Democratic National Convention
The United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,...
; for the Democratic Governors Association
Democratic Governors Association
The Democratic Governors Association is a Washington, D.C. based 527 organization founded in 1983, consisting of U.S. state and territorial governors affiliated with the Democratic Party. The mission of the organization is to provide party support to the election and re-election of Democratic...
; and through his law firm, for numerous Democratic state party committees and Democratic and progressive advocacy groups, PACs and candidates. During Sandler’s tenure at the DNC, he defended several prominent Democrats and Democratic groups during controversies over alleged improprieties in fundraising and cooperation with 527 groups.
He chaired the task force on reform of FARA for the International Trade Committee of the ABA's Section on International Law; has served on the Executive Committee of the Election Law Committee of the ABA's Administrative Law Section; and currently serves on the Advisory Board of that Committee. He has spoken on numerous panels on campaign finance law and campaign finance reform sponsored by bar associations, colleges and universities and advocacy organizations.
Publications
The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002: Law and ExplanationBy Joseph E. Sandler and Neil P. Reiff (CCH, 2002).
"Taking some lessons from the top: What in-house counsel can learn from those lost White House e-mails." By Joseph E. Sandler and William A. McComas. Published in Legal Times, June 18, 2007.
"New Campaign Finance Rules and the 2004 Elections." By Joseph E. Sandler and Neil P. Reiff. Campaigns & Elections Magazine, February 2005.
"The Campaign Finance Minefield." An analysis of the impact of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act on state and local party committees. By Joseph E. Sandler and Neil P. Reiff. Campaigns & Elections Magazine, May 2004.
"What's Next for Free Speech: The Supreme Court upholds BCRA and throws open the door to new threats." An op-ed piece regarding the U.S. Supreme Court decision McConnell v. FEC. Joseph E. Sandler, Neil P. Reiff, and Larry S. Gibson. Published in Legal Times (December 15, 2003).
"Are Campaign Finance Laws Ready for the Internet Bandwagon?" Joseph E. Sandler and Neil P. Reiff. Campaigns & Elections Magazine, July 1999.