Image credits - Bloomberg Law
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A major fundraising event to support Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign is set to take place next week in Dallas, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz headlining the event. The fundraiser, organized by prominent Big Law partners Jill Louis and Paul Coggins, alongside Regina Montoya, aims to bolster Harris’ bid ahead of a crucial election debate.
The event will be held on Monday and features high-profile hosts from the Dallas legal community. Jill Louis, managing partner of Perkins Coie’s Dallas office, and Paul Coggins, co-chair of Locke Lord’s white-collar criminal defense and internal investigations practice group, are spearheading the fundraiser. Regina Montoya, a lawyer and co-chair of the Lawyers for Harris committee, is also playing a key role in organizing the event.
Montoya, who is married to Coggins, emphasized the importance of such fundraisers in the democratic process. “It’s always been something that’s ingrained in our system and it’s saving democracy by raising money to make sure the right people get elected,” she said. “I have no doubt that we’re going to leave this room more fired up again to do whatever we can.”
The fundraising event comes just a day before Harris is scheduled to debate her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump. The timing of the event underscores the critical nature of this election cycle and the significant role that financial support plays in presidential campaigns.
Tickets for the Dallas fundraiser are priced between $1,000 and $100,000, reflecting the high stakes and the significant investment from prominent legal professionals. Montoya noted that more than half of the attendees are expected to be attorneys, highlighting the deep involvement of the legal community in supporting Harris’ campaign.
Dallas corporate lawyer Jill Louis, who went to Howard University with Harris, sees the occasion as a big chance for her generation. Louis remarked, “What we can do and what we put ourselves out there to do has just become greater as we have grown in our professional lives.” At Howard University, Louis and Harris were both involved in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
While Perkins Coie was once a major legal adviser to the Democratic National Committee, the firm has since reduced its role as the DNC has shifted its focus to other firms. Despite this, the involvement of prominent legal figures in fundraising efforts for Harris indicates a continued strong support from the legal sector.
In addition to this Dallas event, other notable fundraisers have been held across the country, including events hosted by Sally Yates and Sullivan & Cromwell. Coggins, who previously worked on Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, did not specify a fundraising goal but encouraged early ticket purchases to avoid missing out on the opportunity.
The Dallas fundraiser, with its high-profile guests and significant ticket prices, highlights the intense effort and financial commitment being made to support Harris’ campaign as she faces a pivotal moment in her bid for the presidency.