Rachel E.Palermo

Rachel Palermo represents clients on a broad range of complex challenges dealing at the intersection of law, policy, and government regulation. Rachel draws on her experience at the highest levels of politics and government to counsel companies, institutions, and individuals through congressional inquiries and other sensitive investigations. She has prepared witnesses for high-stakes appearances before the US Congress and similar government bodies globally. She leverages her legal and communications background to guide clients on crisis response, often on matters facing intense public scrutiny.

Prior to joining Jenner & Block, Rachel served as the Deputy Communications Director and Associate Counsel to Vice President Kamala Harris in the White House. In this position, Rachel served a dual role on the Vice President’s communications team and in her counsel’s office. Rachel advised the Vice President on her messaging and communications strategy, briefed the Vice President ahead of media interviews and other public engagements, worked with reporters on profiles and news stories, and oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Vice President’s communications team. In her legal capacity, Rachel responded to oversight requests and focused on compliance with ethics and election laws.  

In the Fall of 2024, Rachel took leave from Jenner & Block and joined the Harris-Walz Transition Team. She served as the Senior Director of Confirmations, where she led the team that was preparing for the confirmations of potential administration nominees by the US Senate. Rachel also served as the Transition Team’s Communications Director, where she led communications strategy and press engagement. 

Before her time at the White House, Rachel held roles with the Biden-Harris Transition Team, the Democratic National Committee, and Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign. Rachel also spent time at SKDK, a public affairs and political consulting firm, where she advised companies, nonprofit organizations, and high-profile individuals on strategic communications and crisis response. While at Notre Dame Law School, Rachel was Managing Articles Editor for the Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy and the President of the Women’s Legal Forum. She also represented a client before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit as a member of the Notre Dame Moot Court Board.