This research report examines the relationship between the law and lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP (BHFS) and the Israel lobby, focusing on the firm’s leadership roles, domestic advocacy, and legislative influence.
Contributor Report: Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber & Schreck, LLP
1. Institutional Alignment with the Israel Lobby
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck (BHFS) is one of the highest-grossing lobbying firms in the United States, often ranking first in federal lobbying revenue. The firm’s expansion into Washington, D.C. was explicitly rooted in pro-Israel advocacy. According to the firm’s own historical timeline, its D.C. office was opened in 1995 to “build off Norm Brownstein and the firm’s advocacy efforts around the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
- Source: BHFS Official Timeline (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
2. Leadership and Personnel Ties to AIPAC and RJC
The firm’s leadership consists of several prominent figures within the Israel lobby’s primary organizations, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC).
- Norman Brownstein (Founder and Chairman): Brownstein has served as the Vice President of AIPAC and is a long-standing member of its national board. He has been described by members of Congress as “America’s 101st senator” due to his legislative influence, much of which he has centered on “bolstering the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
- Sources: Jerusalem Post Profile (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation), National Jewish Health Biography (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Steve Demby (Senior Partner): Demby is a current member of the AIPAC National Board of Directors and was the former chairman of the Colorado AIPAC Council. His professional practice is noted for being driven by “passionate support of the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
- Matthew Brooks (Senior Strategic Advisor): In 2024, BHFS hired Matthew Brooks, the long-time CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC). Brooks continues to lead the RJC while serving at the firm, where he is tasked with educating Republican leaders on the “American-Israeli alliance.”
- Source: BHFS Announcement: Matthew Brooks (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- David P. Cohen (Shareholder): Cohen previously served as the Deputy Director of Policy and Government Affairs and Deputy National Political Director at AIPAC before joining BHFS.
- Source: BHFS Professional Biography: David P. Cohen (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
3. Legislative Advocacy and Policy Influence
BHFS actively lobbies for domestic Jewish and pro-Israel organizations to secure federal funding and favorable policy definitions.
- Lobbying for the IHRA Definition: Norman Brownstein was a central figure in the lobbying effort that led to the executive order and subsequent legislative pushes (such as the Antisemitism Awareness Act) to apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism to Department of Education enforcement under Title VI.
- Source: BHFS Profile: Norman Brownstein (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA): The firm is contracted by JFNA to lobby for federal solutions to antisemitism and to secure expanded funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides security funding for synagogues and Jewish community centers.
- Source: Legis1: JFNA Lobbies on Antisemitism (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Military Aid Advocacy: BHFS has been involved in efforts to advance legislation providing military hardware and aid to Israel. For instance, Norman Brownstein has promoted bills related to providing Israel with “bunker buster” ammunition.
- Source: Jerusalem Post: 50 Most Influential Jews (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
4. Regional Geopolitics and the Abraham Accords
While the firm is a major domestic advocate for Israel, it also represents regional foreign principals whose interests overlap with Israeli strategic goals. BHFS was hired by the Government of Morocco to secure cross-party support for bills that align with the Abraham Accords—specifically following the U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara as part of the deal to normalize ties with Israel.
Supported Candidates
| Candidate |
Years |
Direct Contributions |
Behested Payments |
| Robert Rivas |
2023 |
$5,500 |
$0 |