Peter Beshar Sworn In as Top DAF Legal Officer

Peter Beshar has been sworn in as the general counsel of the Department of the Air Force. The U.S. Senate confirmed him to the role on March 10.

Beshar will serve as the department’s chief ethics official and legal officer. He will oversee, guide and direct over 2,600 Air Force military and civilian leaders across the globe.

The new Air Force general counsel most recently served as the executive vice president and general counsel of professional services firm Marsh McLennan. He was also appointed by former President Barack Obama as a trustee of the Wilson Center for International Scholars in 2015, the U.S. Air Force website said.

The legal officer was also a special assistant to former State Secretary Cyrus Vance who helped in peace negotiations in former Yugoslavia. He also led several initiatives that support veterans who are looking for jobs, housing and other benefits.

Beshar joins the DAF as it implements requirements from the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act and recommendations from the Department of Defense that are designed to improve the department’s ability to investigate and prosecute murder, sexual assault, domestic violence and other offenses.

Frank Kendall, secretary of the Air Force and a three-time Wash100 winner, said the legal officer’s experience will be essential in overseeing day-to-day legal matters. He added that the general counsel has the knowledge to enact changes that are in line with the NDAA and the Pentagon’s recommendations.

Beshar graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School.