An MSU Alumni Profile:
David and Jennifer Safavian Apply Legal Knowledge to Public Service in Washington
BY LINDA NORLOCK
David Safavian Jennifer Safavian Mention the concept of a career in federal government, and some people picture Sam Seaborn and Josh Lyman engaging in witty repartee in the “West Wing.”
Washington really isn’t like that. Just ask the Safavians.
Alumni David and Jennifer Safavian, who have both worked in Washington since marrying in 1995, have applied their legal educations to careers in public service. David, ’93, recently left his position as chief of staff to a U.S. representative, for a political appointment to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).
Jennifer, ’94, is counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. She has been involved with a host of hearings investigating companies such as Enron, Global Crossing and Ford-Firestone.
Both face long days and a flurry of activities, and no one is writing a script for them. No, David says, it isn’t anything like “West Wing.”
David left his position with U.S. Representative Chris Cannon to become chief of staff of the GSA. The GSA obtains all real estate, telecommunications, supplies, protection and security resources for more than a million federal workers in federal offices around the world.
While working for Cannon, David served as the congressman’s political advisor and oversaw the legislative activities of the office. His role, he says, involved managing the minutiae of the legislative process—from assessing the wishes of constituents to managing press activities to devising communications strategy.
“You don’t have to be a lawyer to be successful at it,” he says, “but it’s one of the jobs where having your law degree is an enormous tool as to how you analyze problems.”
Before becoming chief of staff—a job that he calls the best in the world—David worked as a lobbyist. He was in charge of client development and management as a shareholder with Janus-Merritt Strategies.
The role of lobbyist has been a consistent theme in his career, and he enjoys it immensely.
“As a lobbyist, you always need to be thinking,” he says. “You spend your time moving legislation. It all comes down to being an advocate.”
In working for a member of Congress, David has been part of one of Capital Hill’s power bases. In her work for a House committee, Jennifer is part of another.
As investigative counsel for the energy and commerce committee, Jennifer is involved with discovery and investigative processes for the committee. Her work prepares committee members to conduct hearings and review prospective legislation. All legislation related to energy policy comes before the group.
“In working for a committee, you do not just focus on a district or one area of constituents,” she says. “You are focused on the issues, and you get a broader range of issues.”
With its range of jurisdiction—the committee oversees matters related to energy, telecommunication and health care—every day is different. “It’s not boring,” she says. “There is always something new happening.”
Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the committee has focused on security of the country’s critical infrastructure. Jennifer has visited energy-related facilities across the country to gather information. Her work is aimed at ensuring that the private sector and the government can identify any vulnerabilities in the system and work to improve security.
Following graduation from law school, Jennifer worked in private practice. In July 1997, she accepted a job with the House Committee on Government Reform, and she participated in the investigation of campaign finance abuses. Before that, she says, she had not been bitten by the “politics bug.”
“The more you’re around here,” she says, “the more you get involved in it. You can’t help it. It’s exciting.”