Kathleen Clark works in the areas of legal ethics, government ethics, the law of whistleblowing and national security law. Her academic writing has been cited in hundreds of articles and books and has been excerpted in legal ethics textbooks. She has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, National Law Journal, Government Executive and The Hill, and her analysis has appeared in leading newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Economist, Financial Times, Time, Newsweek, National Reviewand Mother Jones.
Kathleen Clark
Professor of Law
Contact Information
- Phone: 314-935-4081
- Email: kathleen_clark@me.com
- Website: Website
Media Contact
In the media
An Ethical Minefield Awaits a Possible Second Trump Presidency
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump’s businesses are raking in millions of dollars from Republican political campaigns – including his own
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Alito says he won’t recuse himself from election and Jan. 6 cases after flag controversies
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Alito and the upside down flag: What the symbol means to ‘stop the steal’ crowd
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
How Justice Thomas’s ‘Nearly Adopted Daughter’ Became His Law Clerk
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Mnuchin tried to force a sale of TikTok. Now he’s a possible bidder.
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Taxpayers Were Overcharged for Patient Meds. Then Came the Lawyers.
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Kushner Deal in Serbia Follows Earlier Interest by Trump
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Fight or flight: Fearful Trump critics weigh the risk of retribution if he’s re-elected
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Donald Trump’s Overseas Business Empire Is Growing. So Is the Risk of Ethical Conflicts.
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The Republican leading the probe of Hunter Biden has his own shell company and complicated friends
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
New Supreme Court ethics code ‘does very little’ to hold justices accountable, expert says
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Body cam catches elite federal prosecutor offering Justice Department card during DUI crash arrest
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Revised Trump indictment raises new questions about lawyer conflicts of interest
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Senators call for Supreme Court to follow ethics code like other branches of government
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Alito in the hot seat over trips to Alaska and Rome he accepted from groups and individuals who lobby the Supreme Court
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Where Supreme Court’s Clarence Thomas Ethics Accusations Might Lead
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Where Supreme Court’s Clarence Thomas Ethics Accusations Might Lead
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Justice Thomas’s Friend Defends Failure to Disclose Tuition Payments by Harlan Crow
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Judge in Catholic bankruptcy recuses over church donations
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
President Biden’s aides won’t establish legal defense fund to pay lawyer bills
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
A famous last name, business deals and a looming probe: Republicans ramp up investigation of Biden family
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Surprise: Trump Had Millions in Undisclosed Debt While President, and He Probably Would a Second Time Around Too
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Family’s Newest Partners: Middle Eastern Governments
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
An Ethics Watchdog Criticized Stacey Abrams. His Boss Retracted It.
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Federal Officials Trade Stock in Companies Their Agencies Oversee
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ethics board keeps ‘action’ secret on complaint against Noem
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Skirting Ethics Order, Hochul Seeks Donations From Cuomo Appointees
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Lawyers Rotate Among Inner Circle as Legal Woes Mount
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
South Dakota ethics board pushes ahead in Noem investigation
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Indiana AG’s comments endangered abortion provider, complaint says
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Reportedly Misusing Presidential Seal To Boost Business At 4th Golf Course
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Kushner’s and Mnuchin’s Quick Pivots to Business With the Gulf
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Cabinet officials spend Earth Week with vulnerable Democrats
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Massive Saudi investment raises questions about Jared Kushner’s business dealings
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Spiva challenges McDuffie’s eligibility in D.C. attorney general race
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
How Joe Manchin Aided Coal, and Earned Millions
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Hunter: Biden’s tangled business dealings are becoming hard to ignore
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Senate GOP suggests Biden Fed nominee Sarah Bloom Raskin used government ties to help financial tech firm
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The Trump SPAC PIPE Is Free Money
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Congress Isn’t Buying the NFL’s Claims to Withhold Documents on Washington Football Team
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Facebook’s backup argument to toss FTC case is public policy pickle
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
DeJoy bought up to $305,000 in bonds from USPS board chair’s investment firm
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Seized House records show just how far Trump admin would go
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Probe of Biden’s son places new scrutiny on U.S. attorney general pick
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump calls Georgia governor to pressure him for help overturning Biden’s win in the state
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
On the Job and on the Stump, Cabinet Officials Flout Hatch Act
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Wall Street cheerleader Trump has little invested himself
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Judges Tell Trump His Officials Are Serving Illegally. He Does Nothing.
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ethics experts see national security concern in Trump’s debt
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ethics experts see national security concern in Trump’s reported personal debt
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump’s Massive Debts Are a National Security Crisis
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Presidential hopefuls gear up for costly post-election legal battles, as Trump faces cash crunch
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Focus on Trump’s official White House actions as part of Republican convention programming raises Hatch Act concerns
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
White House Dismisses Questions of Whether Convention Events Broke Anti-Corruption Law
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Top Government Officials Rarely Punished Under Hatch Act
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
White House role in Republican convention raises Hatch Act concerns
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
White House staging and Trump aides’ roles at RNC may violate ethics laws, experts say
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump steamrolls norms with White House convention speech, raising ethics concerns
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ethics Office Says Trump Can Give GOP Acceptance Speech at White House
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Fact Check: Is it legal for Trump to give his convention speech from the White House?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump is ‘hijacking’ White House events for ‘partisan, political’ gain, experts say
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Inquiry Prompted by Trump’s Hurricane Dorian Claim Is Being Blocked, Investigator Says
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Amid ethics inquiries, Pompeo faces crucial decision on Senate race
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Takes Aim at a Watergate Reform: The Independent Inspector General
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Who got what? Details scant on small-business relief effort
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump-branded properties charged federal government at least $1.2 million, records show
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump talks down virus as his properties face possible hit
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Suspend The Trump Organization From Doing Business With Government
The federal government should suspend the Trump Organization from doing business with agencies. The Trump family businesses should in fact be debarred, but the standard for suspension is lower, the case is more clear, and the permissible period for suspension is sufficient for the government to avoid the worst risks associated with doing additional business with the Trump family, writes Kathleen Clark.
It’s not just Trump. Governors are keeping their businesses while in office, too.
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
A Great Big Gift Not on Trump’s Disclosure Form: Giuliani’s Legal Advice
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Bloomberg entry into presidential race raises ethics issues
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Once Mulvaney’s chief of staff, payday lobbyist enjoys frequent access to his old boss
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Giuliani involved in legal controversy in Romania
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump’s company exploring sale of marquee Washington hotel
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Hunter Biden’s legal work in Romania raises new questions about his overseas dealings
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
A Look At The Ethical Conflicts Trump’s Children Have Faced
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Is Trump’s plan to host the G7 at his golf course unconstitutional?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
US picks Trump resort for G-7; critics call choice ‘brazen’
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Can Giuliani invoke attorney-client privilege to avoid congressional testimony?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump blurs lines between personal lawyer, attorney general Add to list
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Investigations Into Trump’s Businesses Spark Emoluments Questions
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ethics outcry as Trump touts ‘magnificent’ Doral for next G7
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
How Trump ended up in front of a presidential seal doctored to include a Russian symbol
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Federal Appeals Court Rules for Trump in Emoluments Case
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
White House tells Congress Kellyanne Conway won’t testify about Hatch Act
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Spotlight on Elaine Chao after public appearances with family members
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
What Is the Hatch Act? Explaining Why Trump Was Urged to Fire Kellyanne Conway
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
What is the Hatch Act, and why did Kellyanne Conway get accused of violating it so egregiously?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Reporting Raises Questions About Washington’s Potential Political Conflicts Of Interest
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Federal investigators concluded Ryan Zinke’s MAGA socks violated law
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
A ‘Bridge’ to China, and Her Family’s Business, in the Trump Cabinet
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
A day after blocking House demand for Trump’s tax returns, Mnuchin addressed gathering of his top fundraisers
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Foreign government leases at Trump World Tower stir more emoluments concerns
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
What are emoluments and is Trump taking them from foreign powers?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The Justice Department Suddenly Changed Its Mind About the Constitution to Defend Trump’s Businesses
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Congressional Democrats’ emoluments lawsuit targeting President Trump’s private business can proceed, judge says
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump hotels exempted from ban on foreign payments under new stance
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
How much did Robert Mueller’s investigation cost? Report cost millions, but not as much as Trump has claimed
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The Kingdom and the Kushners: Jared Went to Riyadh. So Did His Brother.
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Former DEA official now working for OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
‘Not In Compliance’: Wilbur Ross, The Trump Official Who Keeps Watchdogs Up At Night
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Susan Pompeo’s travels during shutdown anger some diplomats, sources say
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Why It’s Been A Dismal Year For Ethics In Washington
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The government wants to keep its employees from talking about impeachment. It can’t do that.
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Federal Employees Are Warned Not to Discuss Trump ‘Resistance’ at Work
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Matthew Whitaker has a tangled history with the Mueller probe
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Can the new U.S. attorney general shut down the Mueller probe?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Businesses pose issue if Newsom becomes California governor
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Intervened In FBI HQ Project To Protect His Hotel, Democrats Allege
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Top Pentagon spokeswoman probed for making staff run errands, retaliation
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Member of Congress, member of corporate board? It’s allowed
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump is getting free advertising for his golf course out of his UK trip
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
HHS Watchdog Pushes to Recoup $341,000 Wasted by Ex-Secretary Price on Travel
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Wilbur Ross Says He Will Sell Stock After Watchdog Warns of Potential Criminal Violation
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Associates Facing Mounting Legal Bills Turn to Financial Backers for Help
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
If Pruitt won’t resign and Trump won’t fire him, what penalty could he face?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump’s company wouldn’t say what his new $107K business was, until after we tracked it down
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Overwhelmed by scandal, EPA’s Pruitt finds a defense lawyer
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Giuliani’s confusing media statements may hurt his business
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Stormy Daniels’ crowdfunding raises transparency questions
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Michael Cohen Circus Has a Ringmaster: Porn Actress’s Lawyer
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Jared Kushner may face new scrutiny over tangled financial holdings
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Q&A: Cohen’s ties to Trump, corporate clients pose questions
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Giuliani pleased with his media tour: ‘Everybody’s reacting to us now’
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Did Elaine Chao’s DOT interviews help her family’s business?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump says campaign funds were not used to pay adult-film star
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Philippines latest foreign country to book Trump’s DC hotel
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
U.S. Bank Regulator Acquired Bank Stock While Nomination Was Under Review
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
FBI’s Cohen Raid: Legal Experts Weigh In
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
For-profit colleges struggle despite administration support
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Why Scott Pruitt’s living arrangement raises ethics concerns
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Why Trump Appointees Refer To ‘Optics’ When Discussing Spending Scandals
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
A family affair: Susan Pompeo’s active role raising debate within the CIA
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
De Blasio bemoans nepotism laws keeping his wife from collecting a City salary
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Failed VA leadership put patients at risk, watchdog report says
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump May Have Violated the Law By Reportedly Putting Presidential Seal on Golf Tee Markers
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Russia probe: Did Trump campaign and Kremlin collude? Congress unlikely to provide answer
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Bitcoin-Futures Regulator Clears Employees to Trade Crypto Coins
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Legal defense fund for Trump aides launches amid questions about donor transparency
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Donald Trump Jr.’s Indian finale: a ‘fireside chat’ and buyers’ dinner with champagne
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump legal fund recipients unclear; Flynn says no thanks
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Jared Kushner is showing us exactly why anti-nepotism laws exist
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ethics Be Damned: More than half of Trump’s 20-person Cabinet has engaged in questionable or unethical conduct
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
David Shulkin is the sixth Trump Cabinet member questioned about pricey travel. That’s ‘not normal.’
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
D.C. Council member proposed bill that would have helped firm that offered his son an internship
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Businesses Look at Washington and Say, ‘Never Mind, We’ll Do It’
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump’s CDC head owned and traded tobacco stock: report
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump’s top health official traded tobacco stock while leading anti-smoking efforts
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump business ethics pledges left plenty room for profiting
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Obstructed Justice If He Silenced Bannon, Former Justice Department Lawyer Says
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump’s ‘Fake News Awards’ could violate ethics rules
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump’s Threat to Sue Ex-Aide Rings Hollow to Legal Experts
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump probably can’t gag Bannon and ‘Fire and Fury’ author, say legal experts
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ticket prices go up for Trump’s ‘very glam’ New Year’s Eve bash at Mar-a-Lago
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Patagonia is suing the president — and drawing ire from Republicans in Congress
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Justice Department won’t disclose details on Mueller ethics waiver
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Patagonia is suing the president — and drawing ire from Republicans in Congress
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Michael Flynn’s Guilty Plea Sends Donald Trump’s Lawyers Scrambling
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein Supervises Mueller Probe But He’s Also A Witness
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Secret Conyers settlement raises new questions on Capitol Hill
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Cordray to Resign From CFPB, Allowing Trump to Remake Watchdog
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump business opens online store for Trump merchandise
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
David Boies’s Complicated Conflicts
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ethics Experts: Weinstein Lawyer Crossed Line by Helping Snoop on Reporters
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Criticized for ship holdings, Ross owns more than previously known and the deals continue
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Commerce Secretary Says His Investment In A Shipping Firm Tied To Russia Isn’t Problematic
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Commerce Sec. Ross Has Financial Ties to Putin-Connected Business
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Leaked Documents Show Wilbur Ross Concealed Ties to Putin Cronies
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump administration suggests possibility of disciplinary action against ACLU lawyers in abortion case
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Who Is Visiting Trump at Mar-a-Lago? We Should Be Told
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Insults, Lawsuits And Broken Rules: How Trump Built A California Golf Course
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump’s Ethical Nightmare is Only Getting Worse
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Taxpayers billed $1,092 for an official’s two-night stay at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The Same Agency That Runs Obamacare Is Using Taxpayer Money to Undermine It
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
HUD says Carson did nothing wrong by appearing with Trump
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Top Trump Aide Says Ethics Filings Discourage Potential Government Employees
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Family Travel: Tiffany’s Germany Vacation Racks Up $22000 in Secret Service Costs
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
How Donald Trump is monetising his presidency
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
How Business Connections And Political Ties Helped Launch Trump’s Newest Line Of Hotels
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Startup That Got a Seat at White House Roundtable Is Part-Owned by Kushner Family
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
What Is Collusion? Is It Even a Crime?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Jr. meeting with Russian lawyer may have violated campaign laws, say legal experts
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ethics Issue ‘Nonsense,’ Said Official Who Cleared Trump Hotel
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Despite recusal, Sessions offers advice on Trump-Russia probe
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Mingling business and White House, Trump holds $10 million fundraiser at Trump hotel
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ethics Group Says U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s Retweet Violated A Federal Law
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump company’s partners in India are no strangers to legal entanglements
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Rosenstein friends say he won’t be influenced by Trump tweets
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Which foreign entities are booking big-money events at Trump properties?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
White-collar lawyers see opportunity in Trump scandals
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Donald Trump’s Suite of Power
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Organization to Launch ‘American Idea’ Hotel Chain
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Will Rosenstein recuse in Trump-Russia probe?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Secret recordings may be Brazilian democracy’s best hope — but also a growing problem
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
New Russia Special Counsel Has Yet to Undergo Conflicts Check
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
As the FBI Reels, Candidates Emerge to Run Agency
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Experts: Trump’s Alleged Conversations With Comey Improper
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The Princeling in the West Wing
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Will James Comey go to prison?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Kushners use controversial EB-5 visa program to finance their developments
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
While in White House, Trumps remained selling points for ‘very special’ Philippines project
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
World Bank says it is in discussions with Ivanka Trump about fund to help women entrepreneurs
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
State Department Posts on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Raises Ethics Concern
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Eric Trump Says Presidency Is Bad for Family’s Business
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump administration is least transparent admin. in decades, ethics experts say
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
What Is The Hatch Act? And What Does It Mean For Government Employees And Twitter?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
US-China summit at Trump’s resort polishes Mar-a-Lago brand
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Change To President Trump’s Trust Lets Him Tap Business Profits
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ivanka Trump’s new White House role doesn’t eliminate ethics concerns, experts say
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Kushner Family, China’s Anbang End Talks Over Manhattan Real Estate Deal
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Who Oversees The President’s Ethics? Here’s Our List
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Health-Data Watchdog Company Has a Powerful Adviser
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
At Trump’s D.C. Hotel, A U.S.-Turkey Relations Conference Stirs Up Ethics Questions
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Your Questions on Trump and Ethics, Answered
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Questions of Profit in Politics Raised by Trump Administration Are Older Than You May Think
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
China OKs 38 Trump Trademarks; Critics Say It Violates Emoluments Clause
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
‘Big Candy’ is lobbying the Trump administration. It’s also holding events at Trump hotels.
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump hotel may be political capital of the nation’s capital
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
A.G. Sessions Recuses Self From Trump Campaign-Related Investigations
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The cost to taxpayers of protecting Trump’s kids on overseas business trips
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Why Leaking Information Is as American as Apple Pie
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The case for Jeff Sessions’ recusal from DOJ Russia investigations
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Ethics Monitor: Has The President Kept His Promises?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The Ethics Of Trump Hosting Japan’s Shinzo Abe At Mar-A-Lago
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Donald Trump’s Feud With Nordstrom Sparks Warnings From Ethics Experts
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Kellyanne Conway Tells Americans To Buy Ivanka Trump’s Products
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Ethics Experts Find Holes In Trump’s Firewall Against Conflicts
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump criticism of Nordstrom raises conflict concern
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Eric Trump’s business trip to Uruguay cost taxpayers $97,830 in hotel bills
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The confusing, wild world of science under the Trump administration
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
As Trump Hotels Expand, Trump Club Also Raises Fees — And Eyebrows
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Justice Department Says Donald Trump Can Appoint Son-In-Law Jared Kushner To White House Staff
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Jared Kushner, Trump son-in-law, cleared to serve as White House adviser
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump plans for Scottish golf course expansion spark ethics concerns
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump Presser Leaves Big Questions on Ethics, Russia, Health Care
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Law Professor: Trump’s Plan Fails To Adequately Address Conflicts Of Interest
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump’s ‘Meaningless’ Ethics Plan Assailed by Watchdogs
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Jared Kushner’s family affair: Ethics lawyers raise concerns over Donald Trump’s son-in-law’s not-so-blind trust
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Donald Trump’s ‘first attempt to ignore the law’
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Donald Trump Names Son-in-Law Jared Kushner as Senior Adviser
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
The Climate Impacts of Trump’s Exxon Pick for Secretary of State
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Opinion: Can Congress End Donald Trump’s Conflict of Interest Exemption?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Opinion: Congress needs to restrict the president’s financial conflicts
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Donald Trump Son-in-Law Jared Kushner Could Face His Own Conflict-of-Interest Questions
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Jared Kushner And The Anti-Nepotism Statute That Might Keep Him From The White House
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
How Nepotism Law Might Affect Jared Kushner and Trump’s White House
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Trump’s appointment of son-in-law could rest on Clinton precedent
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Is It Legal for Ivanka and Donald Trump to Use the Presidency to Market Their Products?
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
‘It’s a firing offense:’ Why James Comey may have broken the law with Clinton emails
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
New Bridgegate details cloud Christie’s post-governor ambitions
Kathleen Clark, professor of law
Stories
The Justice Department suddenly changed its mind about the Constitution to defend Trump’s businesses
If Justice Department lawyers are going to say that they “represent the United States,” they better have the interests of the country — not the financial interests of the president — at heart.
Paper: Justice Department narrows interpretation of emoluments clause
The U.S. Justice Department has narrowed its interpretation of the foreign emoluments clause, allowing foreign countries to court President Donald Trump through patronizing his hotels, condos and golf courses and through granting him trademarks, suggests a new article by ethics expert Kathleen Clark of Washington University in St. Louis.
The government wants to keep its employees from talking about impeachment. It can’t do that.
The Hatch Act itself recognizes that, to the extent not expressly prohibited by the law, federal employees should be free to exercise “their right to participate or to refrain from participating in the political processes of the Nation,” without “fear of penalty or reprisal.”
WashU Expert: Report sheds light on Dodd-Frank whistleblower reward program
While much of the Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Program is shrouded in secrecy, a new report sheds some light, said Kathleen Clark, a leading expert on legal ethics.
WashU Expert: Should attorney whistleblowers be financially rewarded?
When lawyers blow the whistle on clients, should they be financially rewarded by the government? Kathleen Clark, JD, professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis, tackles this issue in a forthcoming article in the Boston College Law Review.
IRS investigation spotlights need for Inspectors General
An executive branch Inspector General played a critical
role in exposing the IRS’s practice of targeting Tea Party groups, says
Kathleen Clark, JD, anti-corruption expert and professor of law at
Washington University in St. Louis. “As we see with the IRS controversy, an Inspector General investigation can cause heads to roll.
Perhaps that’s why some government agencies have been without an
Inspector General for a very long time – measured not in months, but in
years.” Clark notes that the State Department has been without an
Inspector General for more than five years.
President signs bill to limit STOCK Act’s web-based publication of employees’ financial information
On Monday, April 15, President Obama signed
legislation rolling back the disclosure requirements of the STOCK (Stop
Trading on Congressional Knowledge) Act, which would have required
creation of a searchable, sortable database for the annual financial
interest forms of 28,000 executive branch employees as well as highly
paid Congressional staff. These forms contain detailed information
about employees’ assets, outside income and gifts. Former national security officials raised security concerns about this publication requirement.
Current employees filed a lawsuit, resulting in a federal court ruling
that publishing such information on the web would violate employees’
right to privacy. “Both the court and the National Academy of Public
Administration
recognized that federal employees have a legitimate right to privacy
regarding their personal financial information,” says Kathleen Clark,
JD, government ethics expert and professor of law at Washington
University in St. Louis.
Senate votes to limit STOCK Act’s web-based publication of employees’ financial information
On Thursday, April 11, the Senate voted to roll back
the STOCK (Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge) Act, limiting the
web-based publication of government employees’ personal financial
information. This action comes in response to a federal court ruling
that such publication violated employees’ right to privacy and a
critical report by the National Academy of Public Administration. “The court recognized that the federal employees have a
legitimate right to privacy regarding their personal financial
information and ruled that the federal government failed to identify a
compelling government interest that would justify posting that personal
information on the internet,” says Kathleen Clark, JD, government ethics
expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis.
Conflict of interest rules must extend to government contractors, says ethics expert
The American Bar Association’s House of Delegates
recently adopted a resolution recommending that the federal government
expand its protections against conflicts of interest among government
contractors. The resolution was based in part on a report Kathleen
Clark, JD, ethics expert and professor of law at Washington University in
St. Louis, wrote for the Administrative Conference of the United States
(ACUS).“In recent decades, the federal government has greatly
expanded its use of contractors to perform services, and spends hundreds
of billions on services every year,” Clark writes. “While an extensive array of ethics statutes and rules regulate government employees to ensure that they make decisions in the interest of the government rather than a private interest, only a few of these restrictions apply to contractor personnel.”
WUSTL’s Clark provides testimony on reforming D.C. government ethics standards
Kathleen Clark, JD, government ethics expert and John S. Lehmann
Research Professor of Law at Washington University in St. Louis,
recently provided testimony to the District of Columbia’s Board of
Ethics and Government Accountability on government ethics best
practices. Clark identified three key next steps for the District.
Law requiring Internet posting of executive branch employees’ financial information delayed
On Dec. 7, President Barack Obama signed legislation to delay implementation of the STOCK (Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge) Act, which would require Internet posting of the annual financial interest forms for 28,000 executive branch employees. A law, WUSTL Congressional ethics expert Kathleen Clark says, that will not prevent Congressional insider trading.
National security law expert comments on Navy SEAL’s bin Laden book
According to the New York Times, Penguin will publish
first-person account of the bin Laden raid written by a Navy SEAL.
Kathleen Clark, JD, national security law expert and professor at
Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, discusses the process
for publishing this type of book.
Ethics Q&A: Government should adopt standards for private contractors
In recent decades, the federal government has relied more and more on contractors, private businesses, to perform public services. The federal government issues more than $260 billion in government contracts each year, with few restrictions on the employees of those contractors. Government ethics expert Kathleen Clark, JD, professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis, has written extensively about this issue, provides some suggestions in a Q&A.
Issa latest example in long history of using Congressional Record to introduce confidential information, ethics expert says
News reports indicate that Rep. Darrell Issa (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, dropped confidential information from a Justice Department wiretap application into the Congressional Record last week. “While the executive branch sometimes seeks civil or criminal penalties against those who reveal confidential information, it cannot seek such penalties against Issa because the speech or debate clause of the constitution protects members of Congress when they expose sensitive information in the Congressional Record,” says Kathleen Clark, JD, government ethics expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis.
Government ethics expert comments on Holder contempt citation
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“The Republicans in the House of Representatives apparently believe that they can get some political traction in the ‘Fast and Furious’ controversy, and plan to increase the political pressure on the Obama administration to disclose additional information by holding Attorney General Eric Holder in criminal and civil contempt,” says Kathleen Clark, JD, government ethics expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. “The criminal contempt is essentially symbolic,” Clark says. Clark notes that the federal prosecutor actually works for Holder, and almost certainly will not prosecute his boss.
Clark tapped to evaluate ethics restrictions on government contractors
The Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) has commissioned Kathleen Clark, JD, professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis, to evaluate the extent of ethics restrictions on government contractor employees. An independent agency, ACUS functions as a government think tank and commissions legal experts to examine how federal agencies can improve operations.
WikiLeaks scandal leads to fear-mongering over information security
“The recent response of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to the WikiLeaks document dump gives us a peek at the sometimes surreal standards for dealing with classified information and at the fear-mongering in which some government officials are engaging,” says Kathleen Clark, JD, professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. Clark teaches and writes about government ethics, national security law, legal ethics and whistleblowing.