Dennis W. Polio
Dennis W. Polio is Of Counsel with Holtzman Vogel, where he leverages his extensive practical experience in politics, nonprofits, and government to provide creative and easy-to-understand strategy and guidance to clients so that they can accomplish their goals in dynamic and ever-changing regulatory environments. Moreover, Dennis does not confine his practice to compliance--he is an accomplished litigator with a focus on appellate practice. The diversity of his experience and practice means that no problem is too small, too complex, or too eclectic.
Dennis focuses his practice on First and Second Amendment, redistricting, campaign finance, and election-related litigation and appellate practice as well as election law, lobbying, campaign finance, and tax-exempt organizations’ compliance. Dennis also regularly co-authors amicus briefs and appellate briefs in the Supreme Court of the United States, the various federal courts of appeals, and state supreme and appellate courts. Dennis has also authored and co-authored several articles in academic journals and with the Congressional Research Service in the Library of Congress.
Dennis currently serves as Deputy General Counsel to the Republican Governors Association.
Prior to joining the firm, Dennis served as a law clerk to the Honorable Carmen E. Espinosa, Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, and worked in the Office of General Counsel for the Republican Governors Association. He also spent several years as a political consultant in Connecticut working with candidates and campaigns in local, state, and federal elections.
While in law school, Dennis participated in the 9/11 military commission at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as a non-governmental observer.
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Clerkship/Government Experience
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- Law Clerk, the Honorable Carmen E. Espinosa, Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court
- Office of General Counsel, Republican Governors Association
Representative Matters
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- New York State Pistol and Rifle Association v. Bruen, No. 20-843: Co-Author, Amicus Brief of the Independent Institute in Support of Petitioners. Brief (Cited by J. Thomas in majority opinion)
- Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, No. 21-418, Co-Author, Amicus Brief of the American Cornerstone Institute in Support of Petitioner. Brief (Court successfully reversed the decision of the 9th Circuit in favor of Petitioner)
- Brnovich v. DNC, No. 19-1257, Co-Author, Amicus Brief of Helen Purcell in Support of Petitioners. Brief (Writ of certiorari granted)
- Brnovich v. DNC, No. 19-1257, 19-1258, Co-Author, Amicus Brief of the Republican Governors Public Policy Committee in Support of Petitioners. Brief
- Disability Law Center of Alaska v. Meyer, No. 3:20cv173, Co-Author, Amicus Brief of the Honest Elections Project in support of Defendants. (Heavily influenced the opinion of the court, which ultimately decided in favor of Defendants)
- Rucho v. Common Cause, No. 18-422, 588 U.S. ___ : Co-Author, Amicus Brief of the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee in Support of Appellants. Brief (Paraphrased by C.J. Roberts in majority opinion)
- Rucho v. Common Cause, No. 17A745, Co-Author Amicus Brief for George Holding, Walter B. Jones, Jr., Virginia Foxx, Mark Walker, David Rouzer, Richard Hudson, Robert Pittenger, Patrick T. Mchenry, Mark Meadows, and Ted Budd in Support of Applicants. Brief (Application for Stay successfully granted by Court)
- Chatfield v. League of Women Voters of Michigan: Co-counsel to certain members of both the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Republican congressional delegation in redistricting litigation, successfully appealing a three-judge panel opinion of the Eastern District of Michigan to the Supreme Court of the United States, which reversed and remanded.
Community Involvement
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- Republican National Lawyers Association
- National Italian American Bar Association
- National Italian American Foundation
- National Eagle Scout Association
Education
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Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, M.P.A.
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Syracuse University College of Law, J.D, magna cum laude
- Lead Articles Editor, Syracuse Law Review
- Executive Editor, The Digest, The National Italian American Bar Association Law Journal
- Founder of Syracuse Political Law Society
- Curriculum Certificate in Advanced Property Studies
- Order of the Coif
- Justinian Honorary Society
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Fairfield University, B.A., cum laude, Politics
- Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society
- Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society
- Treasurer, Fairfield University College Republicans
Bar & Court Admissions
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- Connecticut Bar
- District of Columbia Bar
- United States Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and District of Columbia Circuits
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
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Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, M.P.A.
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Syracuse University College of Law, J.D, magna cum laude
- Lead Articles Editor, Syracuse Law Review
- Executive Editor, The Digest, The National Italian American Bar Association Law Journal
- Founder of Syracuse Political Law Society
- Curriculum Certificate in Advanced Property Studies
- Order of the Coif
- Justinian Honorary Society
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Fairfield University, B.A., cum laude, Politics
- Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society
- Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society
- Treasurer, Fairfield University College Republicans
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- Connecticut Bar
- District of Columbia Bar
- United States Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and District of Columbia Circuits
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
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