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Sharmistha Das

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Areas of Focus

Overview

Sharmi Das’ experience at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), the White House, the U.S. Senate, and private practice positions her to guide clients through regulatory challenges, government-facing issues, and scrutiny from Congress and other oversight bodies. Sharmi has handled dozens of congressional inquiries and managed a program that developed hundreds of regulatory actions relating to homeland security matters, including technology, cybersecurity, contracts and grants, intelligence, health, and immigration. She participated in hundreds of policy discussions at the White House and DHS on high-profile issues that were often in the headlines, including domestic and international crises and emergencies. 

Sharmi brings over a decade of experience analyzing statutory and regulatory text to both challenge and defend agency actions in litigation. She uses her knowledge of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and federal rulemaking process to help clients shape regulatory authorities, comply with them, and challenge them. In both the executive and legislative branches, Sharmi crafted strategies to resolve inquiries from the Hill, other federal oversight bodies, and the public, often under immense public scrutiny.

Sharmi was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the Secretary of Homeland Security for exceptional service, the Department’s highest civilian honor. She was also recognized as an honorary Judge Advocate General by the U.S. Coast Guard. Sharmi values public service and maintains a diverse pro bono practice, including her time seconded to the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia.

Career & Education

    • Department of Homeland Security
      Deputy Chief of Staff, 2023–2025
    • Department of Homeland Security
      Deputy General Counsel, 2021–2023
    • Office of the Vice President
      White House, Associate Counsel, 2022–2023
    • Office of U.S. Senator Kamala Harris
      Senator Kamala Harris, Senior Counsel, 2019–2021
    • Department of Homeland Security
      Deputy Chief of Staff, 2023–2025
    • Department of Homeland Security
      Deputy General Counsel, 2021–2023
    • Office of the Vice President
      White House, Associate Counsel, 2022–2023
    • Office of U.S. Senator Kamala Harris
      Senator Kamala Harris, Senior Counsel, 2019–2021

    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 2014
    • Yale University, B.A., political science with distinction, 2009
    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 2014
    • Yale University, B.A., political science with distinction, 2009

    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    • Supreme Court of the United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    • Supreme Court of the United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

    • Law Clerk, Department of Justice, 2013
    • Law Clerk, Department of Justice, 2013

    • Bengali
    • French
    • Bengali
    • French

Sharmistha's Insights

Client Alert | 8 min read | 09.24.25

Securing the Skies: Landmark Proposed Rule Contains New Security Requirements for Expanded Commercial Drone Deployments

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently proposed an expanded role regulating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones.  On August 7, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and TSA published a joint Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (proposed rule), titled Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS).  Through this landmark proposed rule, the FAA and TSA aim to provide industry with a clear path forward for streamlined UAS operations for a variety of purposes, including package delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying, civic interest (public safety), and flight testing.  Comments on the proposed rule are due October 6, 2025....

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Insights

Client Alert | 8 min read | 09.24.25

Securing the Skies: Landmark Proposed Rule Contains New Security Requirements for Expanded Commercial Drone Deployments

Blog Post | 09.24.25

Securing the Skies: Landmark Proposed Rule Contains New Security Requirements for Expanded Commercial Drone Deployments

Client Alert | 2 min read | 09.22.25

Department of Education Discontinues Discretionary Grant Funding for Minority-Serving Institutions

Press Coverage | 09.12.25

Battle Over Rulemaking Law Likely Headed To High Court

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Practices

Industries

Sharmistha's Insights

Client Alert | 8 min read | 09.24.25

Securing the Skies: Landmark Proposed Rule Contains New Security Requirements for Expanded Commercial Drone Deployments

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently proposed an expanded role regulating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones.  On August 7, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and TSA published a joint Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (proposed rule), titled Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS).  Through this landmark proposed rule, the FAA and TSA aim to provide industry with a clear path forward for streamlined UAS operations for a variety of purposes, including package delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying, civic interest (public safety), and flight testing.  Comments on the proposed rule are due October 6, 2025....

View All Insights