Former U.S. Ambassador Joins Akin Gump

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- J. Thomas Schieffer, a former U.S. ambassador to both Australia and Japan, has joined Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP as senior counsel, the firm announced today.  Amb. Schieffer will advise clients in the global energy, trade, transportation, defense and intelligence industries.

James C. Langdon Jr., senior executive partner at Akin Gump, said, "Tom Schieffer has long been well-respected – both in the U.S. and abroad – for his political acumen and business expertise.  A diplomat with significant foreign policy experience in the Pacific Rim as well as a highly accomplished lawyer and businessman in his native Texas, he will be a tremendous asset to our clients, whether they are doing business domestically or internationally."

J. Kenneth Menges Jr., partner in charge of Akin Gump's Dallas office, added, "Tom's deep Texas roots and strong ties to the state's public and private sectors will be invaluable to clients investing in the region."  Lisa A. Peterson, a lead partner in Akin Gump's Fort Worth office, added, "We are delighted to welcome a Fort Worth native to the firm.  Tom's extensive contacts and experience will be very useful to our clients."

Amb. Schieffer commented, "I am excited and honored to be joining friends and colleagues at such a distinguished firm as Akin Gump. With its historic Texas ties and strong national and international presence, Akin Gump allows me to serve friends and clients on any stage they might need to accomplish their goals in an increasingly globalized marketplace."

Amb. Schieffer began his career in the Texas Legislature.  Elected at age 25, he served three terms before returning to law school at the University of Texas.  In 1979 he began a legal and business career that focused on oil and gas and investment matters.  

An early investor with George W. Bush and Edward W. (Rusty) Rose in the group that bought the Texas Rangers Baseball Club in 1989, Amb. Schieffer was named partner-in-charge of ballpark development in 1990, and in that capacity negotiated a public-private partnership with the city of Arlington, Texas.  Appointed president of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club in 1991, he served in that role until 1999, when he returned to practicing law and managing investments and oil and gas properties.  

In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Schieffer as U.S. ambassador to Australia.  Confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate, he served for four years, during which time the United States negotiated a free-trade agreement with Australia and deepened the intelligence ties between the two countries.  In 2005, he was appointed by President Bush, and again unanimously confirmed, as U.S. ambassador to Japan.  During his four-year tenure, Amb. Schieffer was a principal negotiator on the 2006 Force Transformation Agreement, the most substantive revision of the security agreement between the United States and Japan since 1960, and was actively involved in the Six Party Talks, which centered on North Korea's attempts to become a nuclear power.  

A much-decorated diplomat, Amb. Schieffer has been recognized repeatedly at home and abroad for his leadership and organizational skills, particularly in the area of intelligence.  He received the Order of Australia – the highest award that can be presented to a foreigner by the Australian government – for his work in strengthening the Australian-American Alliance, and the Distinguished Public Service Award – the Pentagon's highest civilian recognition – for his work in strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance.  In addition, he received awards from the CIA, the FBI, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.  

A lifelong Democrat, Amb. Schieffer was actively involved in the political campaigns of U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, Gov. Mark White and Rep. Pete Geren.  In 2009, he made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for governor of Texas.

Amb. Schieffer serves on the board of directors of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, the board of councilors of the U.S.-Japan Council, and the advisory boards of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth.  He previously served on the boards of Texas Commerce Bank and NYSE-traded Drew Industries, as a trustee of Tarrant County Junior College and as a member of its Foundation's board, and as a member of the boards of the Dallas County Community College Foundation, the Winston School and the Penrose Foundation.  

Amb. Schieffer received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Texas.

Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, a leading international law firm, numbers more than 800 lawyers in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  

SOURCE Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP