Pete Van Hartesveldt primarily assists clients in complying with Congressional and Executive Branch ethics rules, financial disclosure requirements, the Lobbying Disclosure Act, and campaign finance laws.
From 2003 to September 2008 Mr. Van Hartesveldt was counsel to the U.S. House of Representative's Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (the House Ethics Committee), last serving as the Committee's Deputy Chief Counsel and Director of Advice and Education.
Mr. Van Hartesveldt is particularly well qualified to address the intricacies of the new Congressional ethics and lobbying disclosure rules enacted by the passage of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 and other associated rule changes. He was instrumental in formulating House of Representatives guidance on the new rules and in drafting the 2008 House Ethics Manual. Mr. Van Hartesveldt also has extensive experience with formal and informal ethics committee disciplinary proceedings and is well qualified to advise clients with regard to those proceedings.
Representative Work
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, U. S. House of Representatives, Deputy Chief Counsel/Director of Advice and Education, Counsel (2003 to September 2008).
- Advised House Members and staff on complex ethics issues including gifts, travel, outside employment, post-government employment restrictions, financial disclosure, and conflicts of interest.
- Conducted regular ethics lectures to House Members and staff and to outside organizations such as the American League of Lobbyists and the Brookings Institution.
- One of the principal editors and authors of the 2008 House Ethics Manual.
- Advised Committee Chair and Ranking Member and investigative subcommittees on matters involving alleged misconduct by House Members and staff.
- Counsel on Investigation of Allegations Related to Improper Conduct Involving Members and Current or Former House Pages, December, 2006.
Judge Advocate, U.S. Navy. Served as trial counsel and legal advisor on a wide range of issues at postings at The Pentagon, Norfolk, VA, San Francisco, CA, Italy and Bahrain. Work included prosecuting and defending courts-martial at both the trial and appellate levels, litigating personnel matters, and advising commands and senior Navy leadership on a variety of matters including government ethics, claims, medical law, and international and operational law issues such as the law of the sea, rules of engagement, the law of armed conflict, and issues arising under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement.
Professional Affiliations
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve
Awards & Honors
Military Awards:
Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards)
Navy Achievement Medal (4 awards)
National Defense Service Medal (2 awards)
Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 awards)
Various other awards
Presentations
Speaker, "Conflicts of Interest, Gifts, and Lobbyists," Federal Bar Association "Professional Responsibility for Government Attorneys, An Annual Symposium," May, 2009.
Education
J.D., Wayne State University Law School, 1989
Winner, Barris-Sott Trial Advocacy Award
B.A., College of Wooster, 1985
Honors, Senior Independent Study Thesis
Admitted
District of Columbia
Michigan