Peter Kadzik joins NLP board

Peter Kadzik, a partner in the Washington office of Venable LLP, is the newest member of the News Literacy Project board.

Kadzik (center) is joined by NLP’s Alan Miller and fellow board member Leslie Hill (right) at a reception for NLP supporters in February.

Kadzik’s association with NLP began with its creation in 2008, when he worked on its application for tax-exempt status as a nonprofit organization. He also was the founding chair of NLP’s D.C. advisory committee before resigning in 2013 to join the U.S. Department of Justice as principal deputy assistant attorney general for legislative affairs. From June 2014 to January 2017 he served as assistant attorney general in charge of the Office of Legislative Affairs, where he managed the department’s relationships with Congress and advocated for its interests on Capitol Hill, including the confirmations of Loretta Lynch as U.S. attorney general, Sally Yates as deputy attorney general and James Comey as director of the FBI. Upon leaving government service, he rejoined the D.C. advisory committee.

“Now more than ever, it’s critical for students to understand how to evaluate the credibility of what they read online and in traditional media outlets — and question whether it is legitimate,” Kadzik said. “NLP provides students with the necessary tools to make these judgments. I was pleased to assist in the formation of NLP 10 years ago, and now I am proud to serve on its board and further its mission.”

Kadzik is a partner in Venable’s government division, focusing on the firm’s congressional investigations practice and working closely with the investigations and white collar defense, litigation and regulatory practices. Before joining the Justice Department, he spent more than 30 years as a partner at Dickstein Shapiro LLP, where, among other things, he advised nonprofit organizations and trade associations on a variety of legal and policy matters.

“Peter brings tremendous legal experience and knowledge to the board, as well as a broad network of contacts and a deep commitment to our mission,” said Gregory C. McCaffery, the CEO and president of Bloomberg BNA and the chair of the NLP board. “We very much appreciate all that he has already done for NLP and look forward to working closely with him in the future.”