Washington, DC. Nixon Peabody LLP has hired longtime national security official and former Acting Assistant Secretary of War Peter I. Belk to advise clients in the aerospace, defense, and related sectors on corporate governance and growth, risk management, regulatory compliance, and government investigations and enforcement.
Peter joins as a partner and member of Nixon Peabody’s National Security & Resilience team and Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense practice group. He is based in the firm’s Washington, DC, office.
Peter’s practice centers on the intersection of national security, technology, regulatory compliance, and global business operations. He also advises clients on cybersecurity and data governance, government contracts and procurement, supply chain and operational resilience, and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. He helps clients navigate legal, operational, and security challenges and develop effective risk mitigation and resilience strategies.
“Peter is an accomplished national security lawyer and business strategist whose experience will help our clients grow, sustain, and protect their operations in a rapidly evolving national security environment,” said Robert Fisher, leader of the firm’s Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense practice group. “We also welcome Peter’s relentless drive, focus, and entrepreneurism, which will be embraced by a firm that prioritizes innovation in practice and client advocacy.”
“We see significant opportunity in our ongoing and growing ability to counsel clients on the national and homeland security challenges they face,” said Sumeet Sharma, managing partner of Nixon Peabody’s Washington, DC, office. “A leader in the aerospace and defense sector, Peter's ability to provide both transactional and risk management guidance will be invaluable to our clients.”
Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, Peter served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Readiness and had been with the Department in various roles since 2020. Earlier, he served in a variety of corporate, government, and private practice positions—including as a senior vice president within Global Technology and Operations at Bank of America; Deputy Director of Operations at US Northern Command; and Deputy Director for Strategy, Policy, Plans, and Concepts at US Special Operations Command.
Peter earned his JD from Columbia University School of Law, his MA from Georgetown University, and his BA from the University of Pennsylvania. He also earned a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College and has served in the US Army on active and reserve duty since 1993.
