Jack Deschauer is the head of our Defense Public Policy Practice Group and co-leads our Aerospace, Defense & Government Services Industry Group. He concentrates on advising clients on defense and foreign policy matters, government procurement practices and policies, and appropriations issues.
Before joining the firm, Jack served as Director of Senate Affairs for the Secretary of Defense.
Jack counsels clients doing business with the federal government on contract matters, acquisition policies and strategies, and appropriations matters. He has experience with the procurement of weapons systems and products, research and development, military healthcare and Department of Defense (DOD) real estate practices and procedures. He also counsels clients in the area of commercial acquisitions. Jack developed a legislative proposal, enacted as part of a National Defense Authorization Act, which provided an acquisition method for commercial companies to provide military purpose nondevelopmental items to the DOD.
In his role as Director of Senate Affairs for the Secretary of Defense, Jack assisted in the planning and execution of a comprehensive strategy to present the Defense budget to the Congress throughout the authorization and appropriation processes.
He dealt with members and senior staff of the Armed Services, Defense Appropriations, and Budget Committees, and coordinated DOD legislative affairs with the White House, National Security Council, State Department and other Executive Branch agencies. He advised senior DOD officials on issues and developments of interest and recommended the appropriate responses and positions. Jack also represented DOD during floor action on any legislation affecting the Department.
Jack attended the University of Notre Dame on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation and commissioning, he spent three years at sea qualifying as a Surface Warfare Officer. He was then selected by the Navy for the Law Education Program and became a Judge Advocate. His final six years of active duty were served in the Pentagon.
Jack also served as Legislative Counsel in the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs from 1988 to 1990. There, he handled all manpower, personnel and healthcare issues and legislation before the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. He was responsible for planning hearings and briefings for members and staff in support of the department's manpower and healthcare accounts. Jack developed legislative proposals for presentation to Congress, and traveled with members and staff in support of Navy programs.
