Simon Davidson

Simon represents individuals and organizations under investigation by federal and state agencies such as the DOJ, the SEC, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Office of the Inspector General. He also conducts internal investigations and practices general commercial litigation, including securities class actions, False Claims Act cases and contract disputes.

Firm/Organization: McGuireWoods LLP

Blogs: Subject to Inquiry

Latest Articles

Subject to Inquiry

A Question of Ethics: May Former Staffers Discuss Legislation With Current Staffers?

By Simon Davidson

January 9, 2015

Roll Call | January 6, 2015 Q. I have just completed more than a decade of service as a House staffer and am now preparing for a job in the private sector. I know there are rules about what I can and cannot do, and I am trying to make sure I understand them all. I am particularly concerned about restrictions on my communications with former staffers, as I have many friends on the Hill…

Subject to Inquiry

A Question of Ethics: The Year in Government Ethics

By Simon Davidson

December 9, 2014

Roll Call | December 9, 2014 As long as there are governments, there will be government corruption. The temptations to abuse power are never going away, and neither is human frailty, which means government ethics will remain an important issue for, well, forever. A look back on 2014 reveals yet another year of explosive government ethics stories, scandals and legal developments. As has been the custom for the year’s final column, I asked several of…

Subject to Inquiry

A Question of Ethics: Are Members Permitted to Help Companies in Which They Own Stock?

By Simon Davidson

October 21, 2014

Roll Call October 14, 2014 Q. I heard that Rep. Tom Petri, R-Wis., may face ethics discipline because he assisted companies in which he owned stock. I know that Members are not supposed to use their position for their own personal gain, but I didn’t realize that meant they are disqualified from taking action on behalf of any companies in which they might own stock. Is that really the rule? A. No, it is not.…

Subject to Inquiry

A Question of Ethics: May Staffers Participate in IPOs?

By Simon Davidson

November 25, 2013

Roll Call November 13, 2013 Q. I am a House staffer and have been offered a chance to participate in the initial public offering of a well-known company that is about to go public. My position as a House staffer had no role at all in the opportunity becoming available to me. In fact, the person who invited me to participate did not even know that I work for the House of Representatives. I presume…

Subject to Inquiry

A Question of Ethics: Are Members of the House Allowed to Hire Relatives?

By Simon Davidson

October 29, 2013

Roll Call October 29, 2013 Q: I have a question about a recent “60 Minutes” segment I saw about nepotism among members of Congress. As I understand the report, it said that there are some circumstances in which nepotism is legal. This confused me. As a former House staffer, I’m pretty sure members are not allowed to hire relatives to work in their offices. What’s the deal? May members of the House hire relatives to…

Subject to Inquiry

A Question of Ethics: Keep Working While Furloughed?

By Simon Davidson

October 23, 2013

Roll Call October 15, 2013 Q. I am a staffer for a member of the House. The government shutdown has caused most members’ offices to furlough staffers, and I am one of them. Unfortunately, there are a number of things I was working on before the shutdown, and I’d like to be able to make some progress on them while on furlough. I’m not being paid either way, so I figure I might as well…

Subject to Inquiry

A Question of Ethics: What Did Jesse Jackson Jr. Do Wrong?

By Simon Davidson

September 11, 2013

Roll Call September 10, 2013 Q. I am a Hill staffer with a question about the jail sentence Jesse Jackson Jr. recently received for campaign finance violations. I didn’t follow his case closely, but, from what I understand about it, the jail sentence struck me as a bit harsh. It’s not like Jackson killed anyone, or even harmed someone. And as a Hill staffer I know that campaign finance law can be very complicated, and…

Subject to Inquiry

A Question of Ethics: Does the DOMA Ruling Affect Ethics Rules?

By Simon Davidson

July 9, 2013

Roll Call July 9, 2013 Q. I am a House staffer in a same-sex marriage, and I have a question about the effect of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the Defense of Marriage Act upon House ethics rules. For example, the law firm my spouse works for hosts an annual retreat where attorneys’ spouses are invited to attend as well. But, as I understand the gift rules, it might violate the rules if I allowed…

Subject to Inquiry

A Question of Ethics: Ethics Rules Bind Furloughed Staffers

By Simon Davidson

May 16, 2013

Roll Call May 16, 2013 Q: I am chief of staff for a member of the House with a question about how House ethics rules might impact staffers on furlough. The recent sequester has cut budgets for members’ offices, and we are working through how to deal with the cuts. I am wondering whether the rules would allow staffers to do part-time work with their former law firms if they are placed on furlough. I…

Subject to Inquiry

A Question of Ethics: Are McConnell Ethics Charges Valid?

By Simon Davidson

April 23, 2013

Roll Call April 23, 2013 Q: I have a question about the recent news of an audio recording of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. I know that there has been a great deal of focus on the legality of the recording and it being leaked. But, I have now also seen some news about allegations against McConnell, himself, arising out of the recording. Is there any merit to the charges against McConnell? A: Earlier this…

Simon Davidson

A Question of Ethics: May Former Staffers Discuss Legislation With Current Staffers?

A Question of Ethics: The Year in Government Ethics

A Question of Ethics: Are Members Permitted to Help Companies in Which They Own Stock?

A Question of Ethics: May Staffers Participate in IPOs?

A Question of Ethics: Are Members of the House Allowed to Hire Relatives?

A Question of Ethics: Keep Working While Furloughed?

A Question of Ethics: What Did Jesse Jackson Jr. Do Wrong?

A Question of Ethics: Does the DOMA Ruling Affect Ethics Rules?

A Question of Ethics: Ethics Rules Bind Furloughed Staffers

A Question of Ethics: Are McConnell Ethics Charges Valid?

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