While it is tempting to focus on the biases of Manhattan District Attorney (DA) Alvin Bragg and Judge Juan Merchan as the so-called New York hush money case is litigated against former President Donald Trump, the better approach is to follow the facts of the case, and explain why the DA's case is wrong as a matter of law.

Longtime friend, colleague, and Republican lawyer Dale Oldham wrote this inspiring tribute to North Carolina election law attorney Thomas Farr who passed on April 1, following a series of heart problems.

Like Horatius at the bridge, Tom Farr spent his adult life fighting until his last breath in the defense of the Republic. I first met Tom Farr nearly 35 years ago when a team of unlikely Republican attorneys set out to slay the most enormous, obnoxious, and persistent gerrymander that has ever existed in history. It had first been put in place by the Democratic Party in the wake of their enormous electoral success during the Great Depression and it was intended to make their grip on political power in the United States permanent. It was incredibly successful, far exceeding any gerrymander which preceded or succeeded it. As a result of this gerrymander, in 1992 the Democratic Party had controlled the House of Representatives for 40 years and controlled an overwhelming number of the state legislatures. Analysis of the various maps showed that it would take a nationwide vote in excess of 60% to win a majority of the seats in Congress and the state legislatures under such a gerrymandered map. It paradoxically relied upon the gerrymandering of African American voters, but its real target was always to prevent Republican electoral success. A number of us had decided to strike at the heart of that paradox and by ending the gerrymander against African American voters, we could likewise end the gerrymander of ourselves.

As we celebrate Women's History Month, we spoke with the Republican National Lawyers Assocation Co-Chair Patricia "Tricia" Paoletta about women in the law, attacks on the Supreme Court, and what keeps her up at night in this presidential election year.

Can you tell me about your experience in the 2006 confirmation hearings of Justice Alito? I understand at one point you had to jump in front of a group of progressive women who were trying to dominate a C-SPAN video livestream during a break in the hearing?  

C-SPAN had placed an open mic outside of the Senate hearing room where Judge Alito’s supporters could go on camera during breaks in the hearing to voice their support for his nomination. I had been patiently waiting my turn in line when a woman from a progressive group opposed to his nomination cut in front of me for a chance to get on camera. I allowed her to speak, but when I attempted to go to the mic, a second woman from that same group tried to edge me out! This time, I wasn’t having it! I firmly placed myself in front of the camera before she could push me aside as the first woman had done.

As we celebrate great women lawyers during #WomensHistoryMonth , we share this THROWBACK video of @TriciaPaoletta speaking boldly in support of Justice Alito during a break in his 2006 confirmation hearings. She is still fighting today for the integrity of the Supreme Court. pic.twitter.com/bufsZkt4tA

— RNLA ⚖️ (@TheRepLawyer) March 20, 2024

Where does your confidence and conviction to be so bold come from?

I played competitive sports growing up and politics in this town can be a competitive sport. I wasn’t going to let someone cut in front of me. I was there to support Judge Alito and I was going to do my job and speak consistently with my convictions. I have a sense of righteousness and fairness, but also a competitive nature. In addition to playing softball and basketball, I ran track and was the fastest girl in my elementary school in suburban Chicago!

What advice do you have for young women coming up in the legal profession?

Certainly, pursue opportunities that are consistent with your interest area but be open to other opportunities. Don’t be rigid. Say “yes” to opportunities. I once had an older colleague tell me “The clients are out there, outside. Not in here. Get out and volunteer, that is where you will meet people who you will network with in the future.” I think today many young people undervalue the importance of face-to-face interactions.

I had always wanted to do international telecommunications law and had an opportunity after George H.W. Bush was elected to interview for a job with the Federal Communications Commission. While it wasn’t what I thought I wanted, I interviewed for the position and from there I found another opportunity that was a better fit for me. I have always advocated for myself in my career.

I am the mother of four young folks, some millennials, some Gen Z, and I tell them that they need to advocate for themselves, but just as important, they need to work hard in their current role and then those people around them will become their advocates. 

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it is nice to see we have more parity between men and women studying the law, but ultimately, we need to encourage and celebrate excellence. That is the most important thing for lawyers.  

The RNLA is a leader in protecting our elections from malfeasance and fraud, what do you think poses the greatest threat to the upcoming presidential election? What keeps you up at night?

My biggest concern is not having enough Republican lawyers and observers on the ground and in the field making sure everyone is following the law. Everything is better in sunlight. We must have enough people to oversee the elections process and to challenge and correct mistakes. We need enough people volunteering in those roles.

What are your thoughts on the increasing personal attacks on conservative Supreme Court Justices? 

It is a very unfair, undemocratic, and nefarious attempt by the Left to influence the conservative Justices on the Court. In the case of Justice Thomas, they are trying to stress him out enough to leave. They are trying to undermine public confidence in the Court. But our conservative Justices are not going to be bullied off the field, particularly Justice Thomas who grew up in the segregated South. So, the Left’s efforts are in vain. They will not be effective.

Today, the RNLA announced that it will give RNC Chief Counsel Justin Riemer the 2021 Robert J. Horn Chairman's Award during the National Election Law Seminar, which will be in Atlanta in August.  Justin expertly led the RNC's legal department through the tumultuous 2020 election season - helping to protect the integrity of elections throughout the country, keep the RNC in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and provide expertise on questions of campaign finance and election administration.  Justin has extensive experience with all aspects of elections and serves as a great asset to the entire Republican Party.

Today, the RNLA filed a Federal Election Commission complaint against Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg and Bloomberg News, alleging that the way that Bloomberg News has announced that it will cover the presidential campaign constitutes an impermissible in-kind corporate contribution that is not subject to the media exemption.

David Bowsher (2017 RNLA VP for Programming & 2017 NPC Master of Ceremonies), White House Counsel Don McGahn (2017 Ed Meese Award Recipient), Former Attorney General Ed Meese, and Manuel Iglesias (RNLA Chair)

Today, the Honorable Edwin Meese III, 75th United States Attorney General, was honored by President Donald Trump with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony at the White House. 

Today, the RNLA posthumously presented former RNLA Board of Governors member Anne Ware Lewis of Georgia with the Robert J. Horn's Chairman's Award during the National Election Law Seminar in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

The RNLA is proud to congratulate Elliot Berke and John Fogarty on their reappointment to the Board of Advisors for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

Former RNLA President Elliot Berke and current RNLA Board of Governors member John Fogarty will continue to serve with distinction and provide valuable insight to the EAC.

Today, the Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA) submitted a public comment to the United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC) regarding the proposed Voluntary Voting Systems Guidelines (VVSG) 2.0 Principles and Guidelines.

This evening, the Senate voted 55-44 to invoke cloture on the nomination of the Honorable William Barr to be Attorney General of the United States.  RNLA sent a letter signed by 115 RNLA leaders, members, and friends to the leaders of the Senate in support of Mr. Barr's swift confirmation: