WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Law firms were heavily invested in congressional races in 2014, spending millions of dollars this election cycle.
The American Association for Justice earned the top spot, contributing $4.6 million to candidates and political groups, according to opensecrets.org.
The Senate Majority PAC received the largest portion of funds ($925,000) from the national trial lawyer group.
Mostyn
The top candidate recipient was Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. Markey received $22,500 from AAJ in his successful re-election bid.
No law firm spent more ($2.1 million) in 2014 than the Mostyn Law Firm in Houston.
The firm’s founder, Houston plaintiff’s attorney Steve Mostyn, directed the bulk of the cash to PACs – a list that includes:
– Americans for Responsible Solutions $750,000;
– Planned Parenthood Votes $750,000;
– Battleground Texas $255,000;
– Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee $129,600; and
– House Majority PAC $100,000.
The international firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld finished right below Mostyn, with the firm and its attorneys also combining to contribute $2.1 million.
Most of the firm’s money, nearly $1.3 million, was directed toward candidates. Markey received the most donations ($71,163).
The lobbying firm DLA Piper finished third among law firms, contributing more than $1.3 million, according to opensecrets.org.
Newly re-elected Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., received the most DLA Piper cash ($73,900), with Markey trailing right behind with ($69,650).
Reach David Yates at [email protected]
