James L. Chapman

Partner

As the culmination of more than two decades dedicated to service in state and federal government—including six terms in the United States Congress—James L. Chapman co-chairs the Government Relations, Advocacy & Strategy practice of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP and heads the firm’s Texas Public Policy practice, providing clients with strategic advice on state and federal issues that impact their businesses.  Mr. Chapman also brings his significant experience to bear in advising executive teams on the management of key public issues as a leader of the firm's Public Issues Management Group.

A former chairman of the Texas delegation, Mr. Chapman is a 25 year veteran of the legislative process, serving on the powerful House appropriations committee for nearly a decade, as well as the public works committee, small business committee, and the science, space and technology committee. His client counsel includes work with appropriations and budget matters, taxation, health care, energy, environment, communications and high technology initiatives, and defense and homeland security government contracts and lobbying.

Prior to his service in Congress, Mr. Chapman was the elected district attorney of the Eighth Judicial District of Texas for eight years, where he achieved a 99-percent conviction record and a national reputation as a law-and-order prosecutor.

Education

J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 1970
B.B.A., The University of Texas at Austin, 1968

Bar Admissions

District of Columbia
Texas

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit

Noteworthy

Served four years on the prestigious Democratic Steering and Policy Committee
Served as chairman of the Texas delegation and was elected to the Democratic Whip Organization by his colleagues