Brownstein Grows Defense Policy Team With Addition of Brandt Anderson

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck welcomes Brandt Anderson to the firm as a senior policy advisor in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. Anderson will focus on national and economic security issues for clients. 

“Brandt’s tremendous background in defense strategy work will bolster the defense policy team that we’ve been steadily building. He’ll work closely with Ari Zimmerman to advise clients on the NDAA and implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act and also complement our foreign relations work,” said Will Moschella, co-chair of Brownstein’s Government Relations Department. 

Anderson adeptly navigates the constantly shifting international security and national defense landscapes. He develops and executes advocacy strategies to capitalize on policy inflection points in domestic defense issues, including the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) appropriations process. His deep understanding of U.S. security policy allows him to advise a broad range of clients on these matters, including non-defense organizations.

Anderson’s national security know-how was developed during his years in the legislature, where he served in both the House and Senate on issues related to foreign policy, defense and the military. His deep connectivity to Republicans on the Hill allows him to keep clients updated on pertinent foreign affairs concerns, including the state of U.S.-China policy. He worked directly in the legislative process, playing a key role in Sen. Todd Young’s (R-IN) office during the formation, drafting and bipartisan coalition building for the CHIPS and Science Act. 

“Joining Brownstein’s national defense policy team is a great opportunity to harness the strategies we developed on the Hill for the private sector, working with a bipartisan team on clients who are facing an evolving and increasingly global defense arena,” Anderson added. 

Before joining Sen. Young’s office, Anderson worked with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) as a military legislative assistant, assisting with matters in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He also served in the House, working on military and national security issues under Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) and the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN). Anderson is an Army veteran, serving as an officer and helicopter pilot during U.S. operations in Afghanistan. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southeastern University.