
Nathaniel Bruno
Senior Counsel, Vice President of Blackstone Strategic Engagement
Senior Counsel, Vice President of Blackstone Strategic Engagement
Nathaniel (Nate) Bruno serves as senior counsel and vice president of Blackstone strategic engagement with Alliance Defending Freedom. In this role, Bruno coordinates efforts to provide attorneys commissioned as Fellows through the ADF Blackstone Legal Fellowship with opportunities to participate meaningfully in strategic legal cases and projects that aim to protect and advance religious freedom. He also helps develop and implement the curriculum for the annual Blackstone Legal Fellowship summer program.
Prior to joining ADF in January 2016, Bruno was a partner at the international law firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, where he practiced intellectual property litigation and was Co-Leader of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group that consisted of more than 70 attorneys. He achieved numerous excellent results for clients through trial, motion practice, alternative dispute resolution, and effective negotiation. Bruno also served for many years on Sheppard Mullin’s Pro Bono Committee, leading efforts to provide access to justice for people unable to pay for counsel. His pro bono services included successfully suing a criminal pimp in a groundbreaking lawsuit under California’s civil human trafficking prevention statute and personally handling or supervising more than 30 adoptions of children out of the Los Angeles County foster care system. He also participated in pro bono efforts serving individuals who sought benefits available to Veterans, disability benefits, and immigration-related services.
Bruno also serves as adjunct faculty at Liberty University School of Law, teaching curriculum within the law school’s Center for Lawyering Skills. He is passionate about equipping aspiring attorneys to steward their careers to impact law and culture for Christ and the increase of human flourishing.