Former DHS Assistant Secretary Joins Covington

Former DHS Assistant Secretary Joins Covington

May 31, 2017

WASHINGTON—Alan Bersin, former Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has joined Covington as a Policy Consultant in the firm’s Public Policy and Government Affairs practice.

Mr. Bersin has led a highly regarded career of government service, having held a number of senior level positions within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Chief Diplomatic Officer, Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Assistant Secretary and Special Representative for Border Affairs. In these capacities, Mr. Bersin has overseen the strategic development and execution of the Department's international policies and plans; facilitated relations with foreign governments, law enforcement, and international organizations; and acted as a liaison with the State Department and the foreign affairs community. Mr. Bersin also served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California during the Clinton Administration. In that role, he acted as the U.S. Attorney General’s Special Representative for the Southwest border.

“Through his government service, Alan has been a policy leader in border security and trade, cyber, critical infrastructure and resilience, and security policy,” said Roger Zakheim, chair of Covington’s Public Policy and Government Affairs practice. “He has a keen understanding of how government works, including the interplay between public and private interests, especially as it relates to issues of emerging policy development.”

The firm’s vice chair, Lanny Breuer, added: “We are delighted that Alan will bring his experience to bear in advising our clients on achieving their increasingly global business objectives in an environment where attention to domestic security is a chief priority.”