Sharmistha Das, Former Homeland Security, White House, and Senate Official, Returns to Crowell & Moring

Seasoned government and private practice lawyer brings executive and legislative branch experience in cybersecurity, congressional investigations, and contracts and grantmaking

Washington – June 17, 2025: Sharmistha Das, who most recently served at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as deputy chief of staff and deputy general counsel, has rejoined Crowell & Moring as a partner in the firm’s Government Contracts Group. She also joins the firm’s Regulatory and Policy Department and will play a leading role in Crowell’s National Security practice, drawing on her experience at DHS working on highly sensitive intelligence matters.

Das blends her experience from both the executive and legislative branches, as well as private practice, to help clients navigate government-facing matters at the intersection of law and policy. She has tackled some of the most complex crisis situations, worked with the Hill on both sides of the aisle, and crafted legal strategy in groundbreaking proceedings. At DHS, she led legal and policymaking processes across the Department, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Coast Guard, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). She also served as associate counsel to the Vice President of the United States and as senior counsel in the office of Sen. Kamala D. Harris. Before her government service, Das was an associate in Crowell’s Government Contracts Group, where she focused her practice on administrative law.

“We are delighted that Sharmi has returned to Crowell, particularly at a time when companies are navigating unprecedented issues affecting their businesses,” said Adelicia Cliffe, co-chair of Crowell’s Government Contracts Group.  “Her combination of having worked in private practice, on Capitol Hill, and in the executive branch makes her an invaluable asset on a range of regulatory advocacy and litigation issues facing our clients.”

Das will advise clients on issues, including cybersecurity, AI, healthcare, congressional inquiries and investigations, and the grantmaking process. She managed DHS’ regulatory program, which included hundreds of actions both before and after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, in which the court overruled the Chevron doctrine. In her government and private practice experience, she has both challenged and defended agency action. Her in-depth knowledge of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and federal rulemaking process will help clients shape regulatory authorities, comply with them, and challenge them. In addition, Das is experienced with key legislative authorities, including the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA), the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and funding for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“I am excited to come home to my colleagues at Crowell and collaborate with such a highly esteemed team,” Das said. “I look forward to using my government experience at DHS, the White House, and the Hill to help clients resolve their most pressing and complicated challenges, particularly as the policy and legal landscape continues to rapidly evolve.”  

Das earned her law degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, and her undergraduate degree from Yale University.  She also served as a law clerk in the Criminal Division, Human Rights & Special Prosecutions section of the U.S. Department of Justice.

About Crowell & Moring LLP

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