WASHINGTON — May 5, 2025
Key takeaways
- Allen Dickerson has joined BakerHostetler’s Washington office as a Partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Appellate and Major Motions team.
- Prior to joining BakerHostetler, Dickerson spent four-plus years as a presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed commissioner with the Federal Election Commission, an independent regulatory agency. He also served as FEC chair in 2022 and FEC vice chair in 2021.
- Previously, Dickerson was the legal director of the Institute for Free Speech, where he led a nationwide First Amendment litigation practice.
Why this matters
For more than a dozen years, Dickerson was at the center of the national debate over political regulations, both as a litigator and as a member and former chair of the FEC. This in-depth government experience and proficiency will be an asset to clients as he concentrates on FEC enforcement defense, provides counsel on political law issues and related litigation, and represents clients in high-stakes appellate work. Dickerson’s arrival is the most recent in the Litigation Practice Group, which also welcomed New York Partner Bradley Pensyl last week. In 2025, BakerHostetler has added nearly 50 new attorneys to its offices across the country.
Key quote
“Allen has a stellar reputation from his time as FEC commissioner and his decades of experience with litigation, including in appellate courts. Our clients will benefit from his experiences and his deep knowledge of political law and constitutional law issues,” said Ray Whitman, chair of BakerHostetler’s Litigation Practice Group.
About Dickerson’s practice
At the FEC, Dickerson worked across party lines to adopt new regulations, reform the commission’s investigations and interagency practices, and produce more than 100 statements of reasons under the Federal Election Campaign Act. He was responsible for oversight of election filings and had regular engagement with congressional oversight committees, including participation in U.S. Committee on House Administration oversight hearings and consultation on pending bills and legislative recommendations.
Previously, Dickerson was the legal director of the Institute for Free Speech, where his practice emphasized motions and appeals, including a dozen arguments before federal appellate and state supreme courts. He also testified regularly before Congress, state legislatures and regulatory agencies, and was a frequent speaker on campaign finance and political regulation topics. Earlier in his career, Dickerson was an associate with two international law firms in New York and an attorney for the Republican Governors Association.
Dickerson received his Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University.
Key quote
“Allen is widely regarded as one of the nation’s top political law attorneys and Constitutional scholars. His leadership roles at the Federal Election Commission and his years of courtroom experience make him an ideal choice to bolster our political law practice as well as our Appellate and Major Motions practice team,” said Jeff Paravano, Managing Partner of the firm’s Washington office.
With more than 400 litigators in offices coast to coast, BakerHostetler’s Litigation Practice Group represents market-leading clients in virtually every type of case and proceeding, nationally and around the world. The group’s roster of litigators includes former prosecutors, veteran civil trial attorneys and former enforcement officials from various government agencies. Recognized as a “go-to law firm” for its deep bench, commitment to client needs and tenacity, and named by BTI as “Most Feared in Litigation” four years in a row, BakerHostetler’s Litigation Practice Group successfully protects clients in and outside the courtroom. For more information, visit bakerlaw.com/Litigation. Connect with us on LinkedIn at @BakerHostetler, @RayWhitman, @JeffParavano or @AllenDickerson or on the social platform X at @BakerHostetler.
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About BakerHostetler
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