David Schwietert, Former Top Aide to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Zach Deatherage, Former Top Aide to Representative Elise Stefanik, Join Akin’s Lobbying & Public Policy Practice
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Washington, D.C. – Akin announced today that David Schwietert, former top aide to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Zach Deatherage, former top aide to Representative Elise Stefanik, have joined the firm’s lobbying & public policy practice. These additions bolster Akin’s strong roster of top GOP advisors, which also includes former House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, former House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and former House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith.
Schwietert, a native South Dakotan, spent 15 years working in the U.S. Senate, including as Legislative Director for current Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and then as Staff Director during Thune’s tenure as Chair/Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. He most recently served as the chief government affairs and policy officer at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the nation’s largest automotive trade association.
“David’s deep and long-standing connections on the Hill, and his significant policy experience will give our clients a leading edge in key focus areas for the Commerce Committee, including technology, transportation and other regulatory matters,” said Hunter Bates, co-head of the firm’s lobbying & public policy practice. “He also bolsters the unrivaled team of top Republican advisors at Akin.”
“I’m really excited and humbled to join the amazing team at Akin,” said Schwietert. “I look forward to using my experience and relationships to help a wide array of clients manage thorny policy and political issues.”
Zach Deatherage, who has also joined the firm, previously served as Legislative Director for U.S. Representative Elise Stefanick (R-NY), former chair of the House Republican Conference and President Trump’s appointee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
“Zach’s role as legislative director to Representative Stefanik gives him unique insight and experience working with Republicans in the House and in the Trump Administration,” said Bates. “We are thrilled to have him on the team.”
About Akin’s Lobbying & Public Policy Practice
Our renowned lobbying & public policy practice integrates a top lobbying practice within a full-service law firm. Our bipartisan group comprises more than 75 lawyers and other professionals focused exclusively on representing clients before the federal government on legislative, policy and regulatory matters.
Our team includes former members of Congress and other lawyers and professionals with considerable government service experience, who also engage in political activities for both major U.S. political parties. With this formidable experience, we help clients with advocacy and building relationships with key leaders and staff throughout Congress and the executive branch.
Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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