Defense & National Security
Aligning Policy, funding and innovation to strengthen national defense
Brownstein’s Defense & National Security team advises clients across the defense ecosystem, from publicly traded primes and midsize contractors to emerging technology companies working to cross the “Valley of Death.” We partner closely with clients to advance defense policy objectives, secure funding for priority programs, and position capabilities within the legislative, operational and strategic priorities that drive national security decision-making.
Drawing on deep relationships across Congress, the executive branch, the defense industrial base and international security cooperation channels—including foreign military sales—our Defense & National Security team helps clients navigate the policy, funding and acquisition decisions that shape the national security landscape, enabling them to identify opportunities, overcome barriers and achieve results in a complex, highly competitive market. We work closely with the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, defense appropriators and key executive branch stakeholders to advance client priorities through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), annual appropriations bills and other critical policy vehicles.
We support companies and investors operating at the intersection of defense, technology and industrial base policy, including in areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomy, hypersonics, munitions, space, shipbuilding, logistics, advanced manufacturing and contested-domain operations. Our work includes developing legislative strategies, securing funding, shaping report language and statutory provisions, building congressional support and positioning clients before the right decision-makers across government.
The team also advises clients on complex defense trade, security cooperation and market-entry issues. We help clients navigate the foreign military sales and direct commercial sales processes, understand U.S. policy and regulatory dynamics, and expand into priority defense markets.
With deep experience across Congress, the executive branch and the broader national security community, we help clients translate complex capabilities into clear policy value, elevate their visibility, overcome barriers and achieve measurable results.
Our capabilities include:
- Defense authorization and appropriations strategy
- Legislative drafting and policy analyses
- Message development, advocacy and stakeholder engagement
- Defense budget analysis and funding opportunity identification
- National security and foreign policy strategy
- Defense trade, foreign military sales (FMS) and direct commercial sales (DCS) support
- Executive‑level relationship building across Congress and the administration
