This event has been postponed. 

Join the University of Chicago Law School for a look at the 2020 Election. This 5-part series will feature alumni, faculty, and special guests discussing and debating one of, arguably, the most important elections of our lifetime. Please register for the event below.

Event 1: Political Campaigns Behind the Scenes

How do you actually go about running for office? How do you navigate declaring a candidacy and raising money? How do political ads get made? How does political research and polling work? What do the DNC and RNC do and  how does the party system affect who runs for office and how elections go?  What skills do lawyers bring to the table in campaigns? What is it like to have a campaign as a client? What should you do if you want to run for office—now or someday? Two Law School alumni will share their experiences working for candidates behind the scenes, answering these questions and more.

Jon Lerner, ’95, is the founder and principal of Red Sea and Basswood Research. He has worked in politics and campaigns for over twenty years. He has extensive experience in polling and advertising, and has served as lead general, media, and polling consultant to winning gubernatorial, U.S. Senate, and congressional campaigns. Prior to founding the company, he managed major statewide political campaigns, and held senior legislative positions in the U.S. Senate and House.

Adam Bonin, ’97, opened his own law practice in 2012 focusing on the representation of a variety of elected officials and candidates for office on the federal, statewide, and local levels, as well as corporate, labor, nonprofit, party entities, and other politically active entities on federal, state and municipal campaign finance, election law and regulatory compliance matters. He has represented candidates for office ranging from President of the United States, United States Senator, and Governor to City Council and Township Commissioner. He served on the Rules Committee for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, was Special Counsel to the Philadelphia DNC 2016 Host Committee, and served on the Credentials Committee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.