David Addington, the former general counsel and then chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, will become the top lawyer at the National Federation of Independent Business July 18.

It's the latest move by Juanita Duggan toward increasing the clout of NFIB since becoming CEO in March.

"It is no exaggerations to say that David is one of the smartest lawyers in the country, and we are thrilled that he will bring his wisdom, talents and tenacity to the NFIB," Duggan said in a news statement. Addington—who has been a top executive at The Heritage Foundation since 2010—will be NFIB's senior vice president, general counsel and chief legal officer. NFIB revenue was $107 million in 2014.

Addington was one of the most influential behind-the-scenes players in the George W. Bush administration. A 2006 profile in The New Yorker by Jane Mayer was titled "The Hidden Power: The Legal Mind Behind the White House's War on Terror." Congress grilled Addington about the administration's use of torture in Iraq.

His career also includes time on Capitol Hill, in private practice and as senior vice president and general counsel at the American Trucking Associations.

At The Heritage Foundation, Addington is group vice president for research. He headed several institutes within the conservative think tank, including the Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies.

Addington's new job will include oversight of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center. The legal center has been aggressive in challenging regulations NFIB deems harmful to small business, including bringing the unsuccessful fight against the Affordable Care Act all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"As the leading advocacy organization for small business owners, we recruit and retain the best minds and most effective professionals. Our leadership and staff here in Washington and throughout the U.S. are the best of the best," Duggan said. "NFIB is leading the fight by increasing the breadth and depth of our work. David joins us at a critical time and will be an invaluable asset as we work to ensure that small business will continue to be the vital engine of our economy."

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