History of Marc Elias in Timeline

Marc Elias is a prominent American elections attorney for the Democratic Party. He is known for his focus on voting rights and election law. Elias founded Democracy Docket, a website dedicated to these issues, in 2020. In 2021, he established the Elias Law Group after leaving Perkins Coie. He is considered a major figure in shaping the Democratic Party's approach to elections and campaign rules within the United States.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

February 1, 1969: Marc Erik Elias Born

On February 1, 1969, Marc Erik Elias, who would become a prominent elections attorney for the Democratic Party, was born.

Others born on this day/year

1990: Earned Bachelor of Arts from Hamilton College

In 1990, Elias earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Hamilton College.

2004: General Counsel for John Kerry 2004 presidential campaign

In 2004, Elias served as general counsel for John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign.

2008: Lead Counsel for Al Franken recount

In 2008, Elias served as lead counsel for Senator Al Franken in the Minnesota United States Senate election recount and contest.

2009: Represented the Democratic National Committee

From 2009, Elias represented the Democratic National Committee.

2014: Advised Senator Harry Reid on spending bill provision

In 2014, Elias advised Senator Harry Reid on a provision in a spending bill that increased the amount of cash superrich donors could give to national party committees.

April 2015: Engaged as attorney for Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign

In April 2015, Hillary Clinton engaged Elias as attorney of record and general counsel for her 2016 presidential campaign.

April 2016: Hired Fusion GPS for Opposition Research

In April 2016, Elias hired Fusion GPS on behalf of the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign to create research that resulted in the Steele dossier.

September 2016: Sussmann Meeting with FBI General Counsel

In September 2016, Michael Sussmann met with FBI general counsel James Baker, which later became the subject of a false statement charge.

2016: General Counsel for Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign

In 2016, Elias served as general counsel for the Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign.

October 24, 2017: Perkins Coie Released Fusion GPS from Obligation

On October 24, 2017, Perkins Coie released Fusion GPS from its client confidentiality obligation.

2018: Attorney for Dan McCready Investigation

In 2018, Elias served as the attorney for Dan McCready during the investigation of fraud allegations in the 2018 election in North Carolina's 9th congressional district.

January 2019: General Counsel of Kamala Harris 2020 presidential campaign

In January 2019, Elias became general counsel of the Kamala Harris 2020 presidential campaign.

September 29, 2020: Motion to supplement the record filed

On September 29, 2020, Elias and his legal team filed a motion to supplement the record regarding the case.

2020: Supervised response to Trump campaign lawsuits

Following the 2020 presidential election, Elias supervised the response to lawsuits filed by the Donald Trump campaign seeking to overturn Biden's win.

2020: Continued as General Counsel of Kamala Harris 2020 presidential campaign

In 2020, Elias continued as the general counsel of the Kamala Harris 2020 presidential campaign.

2020: Perkins Coie Received Funding and Elias Led Democracy Docket Legal Fund

In 2020, Elias's employer, Perkins Coie, received significant funding from the Hopewell Fund and Priorities USA Action. Starting in 2020, Elias led a Hopewell Fund project called the Democracy Docket Legal Fund to support litigation against Republican voting restrictions.

2020: Elias Founded Democracy Docket

In 2020, Marc Elias founded Democracy Docket, a website focused on voting rights and election litigation in the United States.

February 10, 2021: Motion to supplement the record filed

On February 10, 2021, Elias and his legal team filled a motion to supplement the record which was "redundant and misleading".

March 12, 2021: Sanctions Issued by 5th Circuit Court of Appeals

On March 12, 2021, a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued sanctions on Elias and other Perkins Coie attorneys for "redundant and misleading" motions in a Texas voting case.

December 2021: Steve Bannon's Comments on "War Room" Podcast

During a December 2021 episode of his "War Room" podcast, Steve Bannon described Marc Elias as "pure evil" but also smart, tough, and a fighter.

December 2021: Elias Asked Court to Reconsider Sanctions

In December 2021, Elias asked the full court to reconsider the panel's decision to issue sanctions against him, but the motion was denied.

2021: Filed Suits Against Republican Voting Laws

In 2021, Elias filed lawsuits challenging new laws passed by Republican-dominated state legislatures to tighten election procedures and voting requirements.

2021: Continued Overseeing Response to Trump Campaign Lawsuits

In 2021, Marc Elias continued overseeing the state-by-state response to lawsuits filed by the Trump campaign contesting the 2020 presidential election results on behalf of the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

2021: Created Elias Law Group

In 2021, Marc Elias created the Elias Law Group after leaving his position as head of the political law practice at Perkins Coie.

2021: Elias Starts the Elias Law Group

In 2021, Marc Elias left his position as a partner at Perkins Coie to start the Elias Law Group.

May 18, 2022: Testified at trial of Michael Sussmann

On May 18, 2022, Elias testified at the trial of Michael Sussmann, acknowledging hiring Fusion GPS for opposition research against Donald Trump.

2023: End of Contract with DNC and Retained by American Bridge 21st Century

In 2023, Elias's contract with the Democratic National Committee ended, and he was retained by American Bridge 21st Century to vet ballot access efforts by independent and third-party candidates.

2024: Sued to Overturn Ohio Law and Petitioned FEC

In 2024, Elias sued to overturn an Ohio law barring foreign nationals from spending money on ballot measure campaigns and petitioned the Federal Election Commission to allow a George Soros-funded political action committee to coordinate with Democratic campaigns.

2024: Hired by Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign

In 2024, Elias was hired by the Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign to focus on potential recounts and post-election litigation.

2024: Vetting ballot access efforts by independent and third-party candidates

In the fall of 2023, Elias was retained by American Bridge 21st Century to vet ballot access efforts by independent and third-party candidates in the 2024 United States presidential election.

March 22, 2025: Trump Issues Presidential Memorandum

On March 22, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum targeting lawyers and law firms who filed "frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation" against the administration.