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Former Gov. Angus King’s campaign staff has asked the Federal Election Commission if Maine’s largest law firm and its employees can provide free election-related legal advice. 

King’s campaign treasurer, J. Maurice Bisson, wrote a letter to the FEC saying he believes Pierce Atwood can provide pro bono legal services to the campaign, and asking for an advisory opinion from the agency. 

The issue is that Pierce Atwood also advises at least one federal agency as a private contractor, and federal contractors are not allowed to contribute to congressional campaigns. In his letter, Bisson said he believes there is an exception when the legal advice is limited to complying with federal election law. 

Bisson also is asking whether Pierce Atwood’s partners and employees can provide free legal advice as campaign volunteers. 

The Hill posted a story about King’s request and a link to Bisson’s  letter. 

King has yet to release official fundraising numbers for the period ending March 31, although an aide said this week that the independent raised about $135,000 by the end of the month. 

Pierce Atwood is a large, politically connected firm. One former Pierce Atwood lobbyist, Patricia Aho, is commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection under Gov. LePage. A partner in the firm, William Kayatta Jr., was nominated by President Obama to be a federal appeals court judge and is awaiting confirmation by the Senate.

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Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

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