October 3, 2011 — Robert Bauer, founder and partner in the Perkins Coie Political Law Group and general counsel for both President Obama's re-election campaign and the Democratic National Committee, will speak at the University of Virginia School of Law on Oct. 10 at 5:15 p.m. in Caplin Pavilion.

Bauer, a 1976 U.Va. law graduate, will speak about the changing role of law in the political process in his talk, "The Law of Politics: Under Siege and In Transition."

As seen in conflicts over voting rights, campaign finance, government ethics and other areas, from Bush v. Gore through the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United, the role of law in the political process is passing through a period of acute contention and uncertainty about its direction, Bauer said. The talk will focus on the causes of this trend and its implications for political action and participation.

In Bauer's 30 years of practice, he has provided counseling and representation on matters involving regulation of political activity before the courts and administrative agencies of national party committees, candidates, political committees, individuals, federal office holders, corporations and trade associations, and tax-exempt groups.

Prior to assuming his current posts, Bauer served as White House counsel from December 2009 until June, and was general counsel for Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. He has also served for a number of years as counsel to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

A question-and-answer session and light reception will follow Bauer's talk. The event is open to the public.