Patrick Wohl

Patrick advises trade associations, corporations, political candidates, PACs, and other organizations on compliance with all areas of federal, state, and local political law, including campaign finance, ethics, and lobbying. His legal work is informed by his past experience in advocacy and public relations.

Before joining Wiley, Patrick spent a decade in various government affairs roles on the advocacy team at the nation’s largest and most politically active trade association, at public affairs firms executing strategic communications and grassroots campaigns, and on races for president, governor, state senate, and state representative. As a Certified Association Executive (CAE), Patrick takes a particular interest in 501(c)(6) trade associations. The author of two books, his commentary has been featured in Campaigns & Elections, the Chicago Tribune, The Hill, Chicago Sun-Times, and other publications.

Representative Matters

• Advises trade associations, advocacy groups, and nonprofit organizations on political compliance issues.
• Counsels clients on federal, state, and local lobbying compliance, including registration and reporting.
• Assists with formation and governance issues for tax-exempt organizations, including 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, 501(c)(6) trade associations, and 527 political organizations
• Supported in-house legal team as seconded attorney at a large trade association focusing on political law, state lobbying compliance, and contract review.
• Assists with legal compliance reviews of corporate and trade association political action committees and government affairs operations.
• Provides government ethics compliance counseling to corporations, associations, public officials, nominees and others regarding conflicts of interest, post-government employment, gifts, and federal financial disclosure.
• Reviews political advertisements for campaign finance compliance, defamation issues, and other concerns

Professional Experience

• National Association of REALTORS
  • Senior Political Representative (2022-2024), Political Representative (2019-2022)
• Associate Vice President, DDC Public Affairs (2018-2019)
• DCI Group
  • Senior Account Manager (2018), Account Manager (2017-2018), Account Associate (2016-2017)
• Staffer on campaigns for president, governor, state senate, and state representative (2014-2016)

Affiliations

• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
  • Advocacy Council Member
• American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC)
• Bryce Harlow Foundation
  • Fellow (2022-2023)
• Council on Governmental Ethics Laws
  • Marketing & Communication Committee Member
• Authors Guild

Recognitions

Received 2025 Award of Superior Achievement (Best of Illinois History) from the Illinois State Historical Society for Down Ballot (3 Fields Books / Univ. of Illinois Press)