DC Chief Deputy Attorney General Joins Brownstein

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck announced that Jason Downs will be joining the firm on Jan. 3, 2022, as a shareholder in the Litigation Department.

He will also co-chair the firm’s State Attorneys General practice group with Jason Dunn, former United States attorney for Colorado and deputy attorney general for Colorado. Downs, a respected civil and criminal litigator in the DC and national legal community, serves as chief deputy attorney general for the DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

“Jason’s experience managing one of the premier AG offices in the country over the last two years along with his reputation as a top-notch trial attorney make him a high-caliber addition to our firm as we continue to build out our State Attorneys General practice,” said Brownstein Managing Partner Rich Benenson.

“During my over 30 years of practicing law, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with a plethora of exceptionally talented lawyers and leaders,” said District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine. “Not yet 40 years old, Jason’s sharp legal mind, creativity, prodigious work ethic, and selfless leadership foreshadows that he will soon be recognized as one of our country’s most able lawyers. During Jason’s two years as Chief Deputy in our office—and throughout his career—he fought for the most vulnerable people in our justice system with empathy and compassion. His leadership, particularly during the pandemic, made the District a better place to live and our office a better place to work. My colleagues and I thank Jason for his exceptional service to the District of Columbia, and we look forward to watching him soar.”

As chief deputy, Downs is the No. 2 official and reports directly to Attorney General Karl Racine. His duties include managing all legal matters brought on behalf of, or against, the District of Columbia. Previously, Downs served as general counsel at OAG, was a founding partner of Downs Collins, P.A., and prior to that spent nearly a decade at Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, serving as lead counsel on dozens of jury trials.

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