McGuireWoods’ William Bushman Named Special Assistant to Defense Secretary Mattis

February 9, 2017

McGuireWoods associate William G. Bushman has accepted an appointment as special assistant to U.S. Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis and will begin his new assignment Feb. 13.

A former U.S. Army infantry officer, Bushman was named to the Pentagon post after serving on a small team that advised Mattis during his Senate confirmation proceedings. As a member of the secretary’s personal staff, Bushman will assist Mattis in managing various administrative, operational and policy affairs in the Department of Defense.

“I’m very grateful to McGuireWoods for all of the support I’ve received from my colleagues,” said Bushman, who is based in the firm’s Richmond, Virginia office. “My experiences here prepared me well for the assistance I provided Secretary Mattis during his confirmation, and I know that will be true in this new role.”

Bushman joined McGuireWoods in 2012 and is a member of the firm’s Regulatory and Compliance Department, focusing on complex civil and administrative litigation before state and federal courts and utility commissions. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1999 and received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 2008.

Before attending law school, Bushman served as a captain in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and 2nd Infantry Division. His service included deployments in Egypt, Afghanistan and South Korea. Bushman’s former infantry commander recommended him to Mattis to assist with the secretary’s confirmation proceedings.

“We could not be prouder of Will for earning this opportunity to serve on Secretary Mattis’ staff,” said Joseph K. Reid III, chair of the McGuireWoods’ Regulatory and Compliance Department. “Will has made tremendous contributions to the firm and our clients, and we know he will serve our country admirably, too.”

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