Washington, DC (Aug. 18, 2026) – Venable LLP announced today the addition of tax and economic policy expert Derek Theurer as a partner in the firm’s Legislative and Public Policy Group. He most recently served in the U.S. Department of Treasury, concurrently serving as acting deputy secretary, chief of staff, and Senate-confirmed deputy undersecretary for legislative affairs. He will be based in Washington, DC.
While at Treasury, Mr. Theurer was one of the secretary's lead policy advisors and played a central role in the administration's tax and economic growth agenda. He coordinated passage and early implementation of the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill," directed review of and response to tax- and trade-related executive orders, and assisted the secretary with Treasury's international tax negotiations. He also oversaw the Treasury Department's broad policy and enforcement portfolio and its nine bureaus, with responsibilities spanning tax, trade, financial services, retirement policy, economic sanctions, investment policy, energy, and international development.
"We're excited to welcome one of Washington's top tax policy experts to the firm," said Stu Ingis, chairman of Venable LLP. "Derek's deep experience at senior levels of the administration and Congress will strengthen our ability to help clients understand significant policy developments, engage with policymakers and the administration, and navigate sophisticated tax matters and an increasingly complex economic environment."
"Derek has had a seat at the table for the most consequential tax and economic policy debates of recent years," said Larry Norton, chairman of Venable's Government Division. "He brings a rare combination of tax expertise, legislative experience, and firsthand knowledge of how policy is developed and implemented at the highest levels of government."
Mr. Theurer is a veteran of Capitol Hill. Before joining Treasury, he advised Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson and the House Republican Conference on tax, trade, financial services, and retirement policy. He also served as chief tax counsel for the House Committee on Ways and Means, where his work included legislative drafting and negotiations involving major tax legislation.
Mr. Theurer also brings private-sector experience as a practicing tax attorney and an advisor to major companies on federal tax and fiscal policy, international tax planning, cross-border operations, tax-efficient reorganizations, and tax controversy matters.
"I am delighted to join Venable and look forward to working with colleagues across the firm to help clients anticipate and respond to developments in federal tax, economic, and trade policy," said Mr. Theurer. "Venable's robust regulatory, legislative, and legal capabilities provide a particularly strong platform for translating policy shifts into actionable client strategy."
Mr. Theurer earned an LL.M. in taxation from NYU School of Law, a J.D. from UCLA School of Law, and a B.S. in accounting, summa cum laude, from Utah State University’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. He is admitted to practice in Texas.
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