Matthew Shapanka

About Matthew Shapanka

Matthew Shapanka practices at the intersection of law, policy, and politics, advising clients on important federal and state legislative, regulatory, and enforcement matters that present significant legal, political, and business opportunities and risks, particularly those involving technology, national security, and U.S. democracy. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience on Capitol Hill, private practice, and state government, Matt develops and executes complex public policy initiatives for clients seeking actions by Congress, state legislatures, and federal and state government agencies. He regularly counsels businesses—including technology companies, financial institutions, and investment firms—on matters involving intellectual property, national security, and regulation of critical and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles.Matt rejoined Covington after serving as Chief Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, where he advised Chairwoman Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on all legal, policy, and oversight matters before the Committee, particularly federal election and campaign finance law, Federal Election Commission nominations, and oversight of the legislative branch—including U.S. Capitol security after the January 6, 2021 attack and the rules and procedures governing the Senate. Most significantly, Matt led the Committee’s staff work on the bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act—a landmark law updating the procedures for certifying and counting presidential election votes—and served as lead counsel for the Committee’s bipartisan investigation into the security planning and response to the January 6th attack.Both in Congress and at Covington, Matt has prepared dozens of corporate and nonprofit executives, academics, government officials, and nominees for testimony at congressional hearings and depositions. He is a skilled legislative drafter and strategist who has composed dozens of bills and amendments introduced in Congress and state legislatures, including several that were enacted into law. Matt also leads the firm’s state policy practice, advising clients on complex multistate legislative and regulatory policy matters and managing state advocacy efforts.Matt also counsels and represents clients in regulatory and enforcement matters involving federal election, campaign finance, lobbying, and government ethics laws, the SEC “Pay-to-Play” rule, and the political laws of states and municipalities across the country.

Experience

1. Special Counsel

   Covington & Burling LLP

   Mar 2023 — Present

Skills

• Political Consulting
• Campaign Finance Law
• Congressional Lobbying
• Community Outreach
• Courts
• Legislative Relations
• Human Rights
• Research
• Election Law
• Political Science
• Fundraising
• Strategic Communications
• Grassroots Organizing
• Volunteer Management
• Writing
• Policy
• Legal Writing
• Litigation
• Public Relations
• Government Affairs
• State Government
• Public Policy
• Administrative Law
• Political Campaigns
• Criminal Law
• Campaign Finance
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Social Media
• Strategy
• Politics
• Public Speaking
• Politics/Campaigns
• Congressional Investigations
• Leadership
• Policy Analysis
• White Collar Criminal Defense
• Speech Writing
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Constitutional Law