Jack Smith — the former special counsel who led the federal prosecutions of President Donald Trump — is starting a private law firm in January 2026. And he’s bringing reinforcements: former federal prosecutors Tim Heaphy, Thomas Windom, and David Harbach.
Heaphy previously worked at Willkie Farr & Gallagher and served as the lead investigator for the Jan. 6 committee. Windom and Harbach helped Smith run the Trump election interference and classified documents cases.
The group says its new practice will focus on investigations and litigation for both public and private clients. They’re pitching “full-service representation” built on “integrity, commitment, and zealous advocacy.”
With multiple veterans of the Trump-era investigations joining forces, Smith’s new firm is poised to become a magnet for clients facing federal probes or regulatory scrutiny. Their background running some of the most complex, high-profile cases in the country gives them instant appeal to companies and individuals navigating an enforcement landscape that’s grown more unpredictable. And with recent turmoil inside the Justice Department, from shifting legal strategies to rapid staff turnover, demand is rising for lawyers who know exactly how federal cases are assembled.
The timing isn’t accidental. Earlier this year, the administration suspended security clearances for lawyers at a D.C. firm that offered pro bono help to Smith — a sign of escalating friction around anyone tied to the Trump prosecutions.
Smith remains under investigation by the Office of Special Counsel, which is probing whether his Trump-era prosecutions crossed the Hatch Act’s limits on political activity. But with his exit from government and the launch of a new private firm, he now has room to rebrand himself for civil and corporate work — a shift likely to attract clients facing pressure from the federal government.
The firm will open its doors next month, but details on fees, initial clients, or specific specialties remain unknown.
Smith also still faces political and legal hurdles, including a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee for a closed-door deposition on his handling of the Trump cases.
