Jason Abel, Of Counsel, Steptoe & Johnson

Job: I'm a member of the Government Affairs & Public Policy Group and a leader of the Campaign Finance & Political Law practice. I counsel clients on the intersection between law and politics with a mix of federal advocacy, political law, government ethics and responding to congressional investigations.

Community involvement: Chair of the Civil Rights Committee of the American Bar Association’s Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section, and active in its Business Law Section. Member of the MD and DC Bar Associations. At Steptoe, served as co-counsel to the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights in voting rights litigation stemming from voter suppression actions in Kansas and Arizona.

Career highlights: Served as Counsel to Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and later as Chief Counsel of the US Senate Committee on Rules & Administration under Sen. Schumer’s Chairmanship.

Why this career: I enjoy developing strategies to help clients promote their interests and solve problems.

Where you grew up: Buffalo Grove, IL (Chicago suburbs).

Why DC: I visited DC my senior year of high school for a national debate tournament and it made a big impression on me. I always wanted to come back.

First job: Mowing lawns when I was in junior high school.

Family: Married for 10 years this September, with a son (5) and daughter (2).

Free time: Spending time with my family and watching all sorts of sports.

10 years from now: I hope to be as happy and fulfilled by my career and family life as I am today.

Favorite vacation spots: Florence, Italy (for the wine), and Minocqua, WI (for the fishing).

Bucket list: Visiting all Major League Baseball ballparks.

Daily habit: I have to have my morning coffee.

Startling fact: I started college planning to major in astrophysics. By the end of freshman year, I decided to pursue law school instead.