Cissy Jackson

Counsel

Cissy’s broad experience enables her to support clients in the Government Relations, Complex Litigation, International Law, National Security, Government Enforcement & White Collar, Investigations, and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) practices.

Sarah "Cissy" Jackson, Counsel at Arent Fox LLP

As Counsel to Senator Doug Jones (D-AL), Cissy built a strong policy background, particularly in the areas of immigration, civil rights, criminal legal system reform, and judicial nominees. Having also simultaneously served as Senator Jones’ National Security Adviser, in which role she helped draft and enact the FY20 and FY21 National Defense Authorization Acts and Defense Appropriations bills, Cissy draws on her defense and foreign policy experience to support ArentFox Schiff’s National Security clients.

Since joining AFS, Cissy has represented a variety of clients including trade associations, government agencies, private corporations, nonprofit organizations, and individuals.

Previous Work

Before joining ArentFox Schiff, Cissy served as both Counsel and National Security Adviser to Senator Doug Jones (D-AL). As Counsel, she advised the Senator on policy, votes, and legislation involving immigration and border security, civil rights, firearms, criminal legal system reform, judicial nominees, impeachment, and the Mueller investigation. In her role as the Senator’s National Security Adviser, Cissy worked with bipartisan Congressional colleagues, senior Pentagon leadership, and defense industry stakeholders to draft and enact the FY20 and FY21 National Defense Authorization Acts and Defense Appropriations bills. In this role she also served as the Senator’s adviser on matters of national security and foreign policy.

Before joining the Senator’s staff, Cissy was in the private practice of law, handling white collar, False Claims Act, grand jury investigation, and commercial property tax appeal matters. She has represented multinational corporations, small businesses, and individuals in high-stakes civil and criminal litigation.

After graduating from law school, Cissy served as law clerk to the Honorable Sam C. Pointer, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

Professional Activities

Cissy is a Senior Fellow at The Center for American Progress, where she focuses her work on issues involving structural governmental reform and democracy.

Cissy has been heavily involved in the firm’s pro bono work as well, serving as outside counsel to a Congressional commission and as part of a team of AFS attorneys representing migrant detainees in federal litigation.

She also is active with the Women in Government Relations (WGR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and serves on WGR’s Annual DEI Summit Planning Team.

Perspectives