US Democratic National Committee, lawyer Elias part ways

By Jacqueline Thomsen

(Reuters) – The Democratic National Committee will no longer be represented by longtime Democratic lawyer Marc Elias, spokespeople for his law firm and the DNC confirmed on Wednesday.

The split ends a key client relationship for Elias, one of the best-known Democratic lawyers in the U.S., that dates back to 2009. Elias has raised his profile through legal work on behalf of major national clients like the DNC, and the committee is influential in U.S. politics.

The firm also conducts litigation on behalf of a number of state Democratic parties and liberal groups.

“Elias Law Group is proud of the work it has done for the DNC. We look forward to continuing to represent the Democratic Party as well as helping citizens vote, and progressives make change,” the spokesperson said. The statement did not offer an explanation for the change.

DNC spokesperson Ammar Moussa said in a statement that the committee “is appreciative of Elias Law Group’s years of work in service of the values we share.”

Punchbowl News first reported that Elias and the DNC were parting ways.

Elias was general counsel for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. He also played a major role in challenging lawsuits that unsuccessfully sought to overturn Democratic President Joe Biden’s 2020 election win.

Elias in 2021 left U.S. law firm Perkins Coie with other lawyers who specialize in election law to start his current firm. He said on Twitter on Tuesday that his team is currently working on 45 “pro-democracy” lawsuits in 18 states.

(Reporting by Jacqueline Thomsen in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)