Agenda

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Pre-Conference Workshop
Workshop — A Complete Primer on FARA and the eFile System: Essential Takeaways on Key Definitions, Requirements and Compliance Program Components
Nov 30, 2023 1:30pm – 05:00 PM
Speakers

Heather Hunt
Senior Counsel for FARA Administration
U.S. Department of Justice

Tessa Capeloto
Partner
Wiley Rein LLP

Meredith McCoy
Partner
Venable LLP
Day 1 - Friday, December 1, 2023
Day 1 - Friday, December 1, 2023
7:30 |
Registration Opens |
8:30 |
Opening Remarks from the Co-Chairs![]() Kate Belinski ![]() Brandon Van Grack |
8:45 |
Keynote Address![]() Eun Young Choi |
9:15 |
THE EXPANDING SCOPE OF FARA ENFORCEMENTFARA Defense Counsel Peel Back the Curtain on New Civil and Criminal Enforcement Areas – and Weigh In on Recent Cases and Their Outcomes![]() Barak Cohen ![]() Amy Jeffress Moderator:![]() Rob Kelner
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10:15 |
Networking Break Sponsored by:
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10:30 |
FARA Legislative & Regulatory Updates and Q&A![]() Jennifer Kennedy Gellie Moderator:![]() Brian Svoboda |
11:00 |
Who’s Calling Their Lawyer? The Expanding Range of “Non-Traditional” Clients for FARA Matters-and The Lesser-Known Takeaways![]() Leonardo Dosoretz ![]() Jeffrey Hunter ![]() Josh Rosenstein Moderator:![]() Matthew Sanderson During this interactive discussion, speakers will provide key insights on the expanding range of entities that have been caught up in the FARA crosshairs (and why) and the rationale for this trends, including with respect to:
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12:00 |
Networking Luncheon |
1:15 |
INTERPRETING ADVISORY OPINIONS EXEMPTIONS-AND THE GREY AREASThe LDA Exemption amid Heightened DOJ Scrutiny: A Narrowed Interpretation and Potential for Repeal?![]() Kate Belinski ![]() Craig Engle
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2:00 |
Dissecting Key Advisory Opinions on “Political Consultants”: Determining What Does (and Doesn’t) Cross the Line![]() Deborah Curtis ![]() Brian Smith
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2:30 |
Networking Break Sponsored by:
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2:45 |
Fireside Chat![]() Evan Turgeon Moderator:![]() Brandon Van Grack |
3:15 |
Navigating the Uncertainty Around the Commercial Exemption: How Practitioners are Applying the Exemption in the Wake of Recent Advisory Opinions![]() Adam Hickey ![]() William Minor
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4:00 |
ADVISING YOUR CLIENTS AND THE SCOPE OF PRIVILEGE PROTECTION Interactive Discussions and HypotheticalsThe Impact of Recent Cases and Advisory Opinions on Practitioners’ Advice to Clients: Key Takeaways![]() Ki Hong ![]() Keisha N. Stanford Moderator:![]() Dan Pickard Speakers and audience members will exchange insights on the changing FARA landscape and how to best advise clients in the wake of recent cases and advisory opinions. Speakers will walk the audience through a number of scenarios and how to handle them.
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5:00 |
Conference Concludes and Networking Reception |
Workshop — A Complete Primer on FARA and the eFile System: Essential Takeaways on Key Definitions, Requirements and Compliance Program Components

Heather Hunt
Senior Counsel for FARA Administration
U.S. Department of Justice

Tessa Capeloto
Partner
Wiley Rein LLP

Meredith McCoy
Partner
Venable LLP
What is it about?
Laying the groundwork for the main conference, join this workshop that will bring you up-to-speed and set the stage for the specific, complex discussions that will follow.
The workshop leaders will provide an essential overview of FARA requirements, the FARA eFile Systems and the core building blocks of FARA enforcement and compliance-and benefit from additional CLE credit and speaker-prepared reference materials.
Topics will include:
- Defining “foreign agent” and “foreign principal” under FARA
- What can trigger the need to register for:
- Lobbying and public relations firms
- Agents and their employers
- Lawyers and law firms
- Consulting firms
- Non-profit groups
- Universities and think tanks
- Media
- Trade associations
- U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies
- The do’s and don’ts of using the FARA eFile System and common missteps to avoid Common pitfalls associated with using the filing process
- How much information is required to be submitted
- How to streamline the filing system
- Common misconceptions about FARA registration: When it is (and isn’t) required No de minimis threshold
- What is meant by “at the order, request, or under the direction or control” of, a foreign principal”
- Defining “political activities” and acting as a “public-relations counsel,” “publicity agent,” “information-service employee,” or “political consultant”
- Representing the interests of a foreign principal before an agency or official of the United States Government
- Assessing the nature and scope of activities by an “agent”
- Overview of FARA Exemptions and DOJ Interpretations of:
- The Commercial Exemption
- LDA Exemption
- Lawyers’ Exemption
- Academic Exemption
- The anatomy of a DOJ audit of a registered foreign agent
- What is required by the DOJ for disclosure reports and copies of “informational materials”