Neel Mehta
Clete Johnson, former senior adviser for cybersecurity and technology to Commerce Department Secretary Penny Pritzker, has joined law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer as a partner.
The firm said Wednesday Johnson will be based at its Washington, D.C., office and bring experience from his work in the federal government, the national security and intelligence communities and the private sector.
“[We] are thrilled to have Clete lead our team in an era in which cybersecurity is moving to the forefront of many practice areas and is of increasing concern to all of our clients across all sectors of the economy,” said Bryan Tramont, managing partner of Wilkinson Barker Knauer.
“[His] diversity of experiences, intellect and character make him the perfect fit to lead the firm’s cybersecurity team.”
Johnson’s previous work involved the management of the Commerce Department’s cybersecurity initiatives and support for the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity.
He has also served as the first chief counsel for cybersecurity at the Federal Communications Commission and Sen. John Rockefeller IV’s designated counsel on the Senate Intelligence Committee and counsel for defense, foreign policy and international trade.
He practiced law in the areas of international trade, defense and security at Patton Boggs prior to his public sector roles and is a retired U.S. Army officer who served in Germany, Korea and the Balkans.
