WASHINGTON, DC, August 23, 2018 — Arnold & Porter announced today that Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, has joined the firm as Senior International Policy Advisor, resident in Washington, DC. Ambassador Shannon will play a leadership role in the firm's Global Law and Public Policy practice, where he will advise clients on international policy and strategic issues.
Ambassador Shannon has held numerous senior leadership positions at the State Department and US Missions overseas, serving with distinction in public service for 35 years. Prior to his role as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the third highest ranking position at the US State Department, he was Counselor of the State Department. He also served as the United States Ambassador to Brazil, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, and Special Assistant to the President at the National Security Council, among other postings. During his career as a Foreign Service Officer, he rose to the rank of Career Ambassador, and was the highest ranking member of our professional diplomatic corps.
Arnold & Porter Chair Richard M. Alexander said: "We are honored to have Ambassador Shannon join the Firm after his remarkable career in public service. His unparalleled experience in dealing with a broad range of important global policy and strategic issues will be enormously valuable to our clients who must navigate an increasingly complex global marketplace."
Ambassador Shannon, a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, received his BA from the College of William and Mary, with high honors. He earned an M.Phil. in Politics and D.Phil. in Politics from Oxford University. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
"I am excited to begin the next chapter of my career at Arnold & Porter, serving as an advocate and client advisor to those individuals and organizations seeking to better understand today's unpredictable and ever-changing government, political, economic, and corporate environments," said Tom Shannon. "I look forward to teaming with my new colleagues at the firm, many of whom hail from careers of extraordinary public service."
About the Global Law and Public Policy Practice
Arnold & Porter's Global Law and Public Policy practice is composed of a team of former senior US government and international officials with exceptional international law experience. The firm advises countries, multinational corporations, and individuals on some of the most challenging and sensitive matters of international law and foreign affairs. The team includes: John B. Bellinger, III (former Legal Adviser to the US Department of State); Paolo Di Rosa (former Assistant Legal Adviser at the US Department of State); Christopher J. Dodd (former United States Senator from Connecticut); Raul Herrera (former General Counsel for the Inter-American Investment Corporation), Claire E. Reade (former Assistant US Trade Representative for China Affairs at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)), Jeffrey H. Smith (former General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency), Samuel Witten (former Deputy Legal Adviser at the US Department of State); and Ambassador Miomir Zuzul (former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Croatia).
About Arnold & Porter
With nearly 1,000 lawyers practicing in 13 offices around the globe, Arnold & Porter serves clients across 40 distinct practice areas. The firm offers 100 years of renowned regulatory expertise, sophisticated litigation and transactional practices, and leading multidisciplinary offerings in the life sciences and financial services industries.