Kai Olson

Background

About Kai Olson

I focus on political law and advise clients whose activities lie at the intersection of business, government and public policy. My practice focuses on business integrity and government ethics, lobbying law, anti-bribery and corruption, public sector conflicts of interest, and election and campaign finance law. I assist large public and private companies, government contractors, non-profits, and lobbyists navigate the myriad of ever expanding political laws that apply to their day-to-day activities. I develop and administer comprehensive multi-jurisdictional compliance programs to minimize legal and reputational risk, and I am routinely engaged to deliver training sessions, conduct audits and internal investigations, and address whistleblower complaints. I have significant experience in all areas of lobbying law. In addition to advising clients on lobbyist registration and continuous disclosure requirements, I regularly review agreements to ensure that contingency fee prohibitions are respected and that the activity of agents or subcontractors does not create undue lobbying law risk. I also help companies and individuals with laws and regulations regarding conflicts of interest, financial disclosure and divestment, ethical screens, and “revolving door” restrictions that are triggered when individuals begin government service and when companies hire individuals from the public sector. I provide specialized advice regarding gift and hospitality rules within the context of government contracting, and assist asset managers with ethics and lobbying issues that may arise from their engagement with public sector pension funds and investment corporations. I represent companies in freedom of information matters under federal and provincial legislation, including with respect to the protection of confidential, commercial information. During election cycles, I advise corporations and organizations engaged in “third party” campaign activity (similar to that of U.S. PACs) on compliance with election and campaign finance laws across Canada. In connection with this counsel, I advise on the creation and registration of third parties, on financial reporting and audit requirements, and on corporate governance matters related to third party administration. In addition to helping clients navigate compliance risks, I act for clients who are alleged to have contravened the federal Lobbying Act, Canada Elections Act, Conflict of Interest Act, as well as the Ontario Lobbyists Registration Act and Election Finances Act.