David E. Frulla

Partner

Phone number
(202) 342-8648

With more than three decades serving clients in a variety of industries, David Frulla’s cross-disciplinary practice encompasses government relations and public policy, campaign finance and ethics, and environmental law.

A determined advocate, effective negotiator, registered lobbyist, and proven litigator, David helps his clients achieve business objectives and reach decision-makers at the federal and state level.

Policymakers recognize David as an honest broker and a credible information source, creating a dynamic of trust and respect that facilitates consensus building and practical solutions. David’s well-honed skills in navigating the political landscape of Washington, D.C., and state capitals, and his foresight into evolving laws and regulations, enable him to guide clients through emerging issues with minimal disruption to their business.

David works with a wide range of clients, including businesses in heavily regulated industries, labor organizations, trade associations, and lobbying organizations. He has significant experience counseling and advancing the interests of clients whose operations intersect with laws and regulations, particularly those involving natural resources, wildlife, energy, and sustainability.

His science-based approach helps move the needle, while his ability to see connections others may miss leads to creative and innovative solutions. His experience includes legislative and regulatory counseling and advocacy before the Executive Branch, members and staff of the U.S. Congress, and various administrative agencies and interstate compact commissions.

David is also involved in federal, state, and local campaign finance and lobbying registration, reporting and activity, foreign agent registration and reporting, and other political law-related matters. 

In his counseling practice, David takes a practical, direct approach with clients to address compliance concerns and minimize the potential for regulatory transgressions.

When clients find themselves in the government’s crosshairs, David has a proven track record in defending individuals, labor organizations, and corporations in criminal, administrative, and legislative enforcement proceedings involving white-collar crime, environmental regulation, alleged fraud and abuse, and campaign finance and public integrity issues.

“Effective advocacy is more about substance than connections. If you know what you’re talking about—and talk about it frankly and authoritatively—policymakers are far more likely to listen.”

Organizes a wide range of trade associations and other tax-exempt organizations, representing them before the courts, Congress and federal, state and interstate compact commissions and agencies.

Counsels a variety of federal and non-federal political committees, often with millions of dollars in activity and operating in multiple federal and state jurisdictions, on campaign finance and related tax issues.

Defends candidates and political donors, as well as U.S. and foreign political officials, in federal and state criminal and administrative agency enforcement proceedings, including at trial.

Helped to develop and administer an online federal and 50-state lobbying registration and reporting service, as well as an online state campaign finance and lobbying compliance guide.

Prevailed in federal appellate cases involving the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause, legislative and executive separation of powers in cases including those involving criminal charges against a member of Congress, invalidation of regulations based on an appropriations ​“rider” and overly broad municipal ordinances.

Provides advice and counsel to organizations governed by interstate compacts.

Represents clients on a range of environmental and administrative law issues involving federal fisheries, national wilderness area and wildlife refuges, as well as regarding the National Environmental Policy Act.

Creatively employs federal laws, policies and treaties, such as the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) and the Information Quality Act (IQA) to solve a wide range of regulatory matters on behalf of clients including proceedings before the Commerce Department, Federal Communications Commission, Army Corp of Engineers, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency.

Assists government contractors and their employees to respond to Justice Department and contracting agency investigations, as well as False Claims Act actions brought by private qui tam plaintiffs.

Assists clients to obtain legislative relief and opportunity, including following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Represented clients as the plaintiff or interveners in dozens of federal and state cases involving the application of federal and state environmental laws and regulations.

The Best Lawyers in America© (Woodward/White, Inc.), Government Relations Practice, 2010-2025.

Ranked nationally as a leading practitioner in the Government: Political Law area by Chambers USA, 2012.

Noted as one of the leaders of the firm’s Campaign Finance & Political Law practice group in Chambers USA, 2008.

Listed in The Lawdragon 500: Leading Lawyers in America.

Recognized as a leading attorney in the Government Relations practice area by Washington D.C. Super Lawyers, 2011-2020.

American Bar Association, Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section, Criminal Process Committee, chair

Registered lobbyist