John M. Simmons devises and executes strategies to advance client interests before Congress and the executive branch in the areas of appropriations, budget, defense, foreign military sales, homeland security, military base enhancement, space and related domestic policy issues. Mr. Simmons leads the firm’s military base enhancement practice, which successfully defended all 17 of the firm’s clients through the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure round. Mr. Simmons’ defense practice concentrates on research, development and procurement programs throughout the departments of Defense and Homeland Security, traditional military construction, military housing privatization initiatives and military base enhancement. Mr. Simmons’ client base includes universities, small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, states, local governments and economic development entities.
Before joining Akin Gump, Mr. Simmons served for a decade as the appropriations and military legislative assistant to Rep. James T. Walsh, R-N.Y. Rep. Walsh served as chairman of several House appropriations subcommittees, including Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and as ranking member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies subcommittee. Mr. Simmons was the primary adviser on appropriations matters relating to defense, foreign affairs, military construction, science, space and technology. In addition to handling appropriations matters, he supported Rep. Walsh in his capacity as chairman of the Friends of Ireland and worked on all aspects of the Northern Ireland Peace Process, including Public Law 105-319, the Irish Peace Process Cultural Training Program Act of 1998, also known as the Walsh Visa.
Mr. Simmons received his B.S. from Rochester Institute of Technology. He and his wife are natives of Buffalo, New York, and reside in Great Falls, Virginia, with their two children.