John "J.P." Dowd joined the firm as Vice President on September 5, 2023. J.P. was most recently the Chief of Staff to former Senator and Senate President Pro Tempore, Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
J.P. began his career working as a Military Legislative Assistant for Senator Leahy and rose through the ranks to become Projects Director, Legislative Director, and ultimately Chief of Staff for the last 10 years. Over that time, Senator Leahy was the Chairman or Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Appropriations Committee and J.P. served as a critical link between Members of the Committees, Committee staff, and the Senator’s personal staff. J.P. also served as a liaison for constituents and the business community in Vermont, helping deliver millions of dollars back to the Green Mountain State.
As the top aide to the most senior Democratic Senator, J.P. has been involved in many of the most consequential legislative debates in recent years. J.P. has worked in a bipartisan fashion managing communications and legislative strategies to shepherd priorities from inception to passage. In addition to managing Senator Leahy’s office, J.P. also served as the political designee for the Senator’s 2016 re-election campaign.
Originally from Washington, DC, J.P. received his B.A. from the University of Vermont and his M.B.A. from Georgetown University. J.P. and his wife, Kara, live in Washington, DC with their four children.
