March 21, 2007
Washington, DC
March 21, 2007, (Washington, D.C.) – Henry “Jim” Schweiter has joined the law firm of McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, an international law firm known for its preeminent Government Contracts practice as a member of the Washington, D.C. office. Schweiter joins the firm’s prominent Government Contracts practice as of counsel after serving on the congressionally- chartered Commission on the National Guard and Reserves as senior counsel and senior legal advisor in the consulting division of McNeil Technologies, a professional services company that supported the Commission, which examined the various roles, missions, readiness, size, shape, equipment needs, management, and benefit structures of the military’s seven reserve components.
Schweiter brings more than 25 years of government service on Capitol Hill to the firm, at the Department of Defense, and in the United States Air Force, including service for both Democrats and Republicans.
“Jim’s unique, unparalled wealth of experience in critical national security issues, along with his extensive work on the key committee of the House of Representatives that is responsible for oversight of the military and defense industry, complements the deep bench- strength of MLA’s government contracts and government affairs team,” said Jeff Haidet, chairman of the firm. “His knowledge of Congressional procedures will add tremendous value to our firm and to our defense, aerospace, and homeland security clients in particular, as they address the increased congressional oversight facing these industries.”
“McKenna Long & Aldridge’s ability to recruit Jim is validation of the platform we are continually building at MLA,” said Tom Abbott, national chair of the Government Contracts practice. “Jim is a highly successful government contracts attorney with the reputation and expertise necessary to anchor our new initiatives.”
Following his service as general counsel to the House Armed Services Committee, under both Democratic and Republican majorities, Schweiter was appointed by President Clinton as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. After his service at the Pentagon, Schweiter returned to Capitol Hill to serve as the Democratic staff director and counsel to the House Armed Services Committee. Before his work in Washington, Schweiter served on active duty as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Department of the United States Air Force.
Schweiter’s background complements the firm’s extensive government contracts and government affairs capabilities. He will also immediately play an active role in the firm’s Congressional Oversight and Investigations practice and will key note the firm’s March 27, 2007, Los Angeles program on this topic, co-sponsored by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA).
Schweiter is a graduate of the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government’s Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security and has taken master’s-level coursework in federal procurement law at George Washington University. He earned his Juris doctor degree from the University of Toledo, College of Law, and his bachelor of Art’s degree from Gettysburg College.