Kaufman Legal Group, a leading law practice focused on campaign finance, election and governmental ethics laws, has named West Hollywood’s Joe Guardarrama as a shareholder of the firm.
Guardarrama and Kaufman’s Stacey J. Shin, also named a shareholder, were elevated to that position “in recognition of their expertise in federal, state and local election and campaign finance law,” Kaufman said in an announcement today.
“Stacey and Joe are respected and acknowledged in the political and legal communities as leaders in their field,” said Stephen J. Kaufman, managing shareholder of Kaufman Legal Group. “Their promotion to shareholder reflects the firm’s total confidence in them as senior professionals working with and responding to the needs of our clients.”
Shin joined Kaufman Legal Group in 2010, following a stint as legal counsel to the then-chairman of the Federal Election Commission. She advises candidates, officeholders, labor unions, ballot measure committees, major donors, independent expenditure committees and other political organizations on compliance with federal, state and local campaign finance, election and governmental ethics laws. She also counsels lobbying organizations and lobbying firms on compliance with lobbying laws.
Shin received her law degree from the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C., and earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of California, Irvine.
Guardarrama joined Kaufman Legal Group in 2011. He advises candidates, ballot measure campaigns, public officials and a wide spectrum of private sector clients in the areas of campaign finance law, lobbying compliance, conflicts of interest and governmental ethics. Guardarrama brings a unique blend of private practice experience and service as a public official to the firm’s practice, having previously served as a Planning Commissioner in the City of West Hollywood. Guardarrama also chaired the City of West Hollywood’s ethics reform task force, which in November of last year presented a range of options to the City Council for addressing transparency and ethics issues.
Guardarrama earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science, cum laude, from the University of California, Irvine and his law degree, cum laude, from Loyola Law School. He is a current board member of the California Political Attorneys Association.
Congratulations! Joe played an important, if apparently unappreciated, role in making meaningful recommendations for campaign reform last year. His dedication to our community is inspiring.
Wonderful news for both Joe Guardarama and his colleague Stacey Shin. The City of West Hollywood’s Planning Commission was fortunate to have Joe’s reasoned and intelligent voice while serving as a Planning Commissioner for several years. His breadth of knowledge and experience are of great value to the entire field of governmental and campaign ethics. I hope in future he will consider running for West Hollywood City Council if his time permits.
Congratulations Joe and to your colleague. Your knowledge, concern, and calm deliberate approach have always left me in awe. How lucky are we all to have Joe Guardarrama. His dedication to CES, Ethic Reform, and all he has done and will do for West Hollywood.
Joe is a steady, smart, public-service minded man. We will continue to see him rise in responsibility in every arena in which he chooses to dedicate his time.