Regarding the announcement that RNLA Board of Governors Member Fred Fielding will become the next White House Counsel, RNLA Chair Richard Wiley remarked, "Fred Fielding is a man of considerable wisdom, experience and integrity. For our law firm, his departure is a significant loss. But our President and country will be greatly benefited by his exemplary service once again at the White House. I know that all RNLA members will join me in wishing Fred the very best."

Excerpts from News Articles:

"President Bush has chosen Fred F. Fielding as the new chief White House lawyer, adding to his team a longtime Washington legal hand and veteran of the post... J. Michael Luttig, a former federal judge who worked with Mr. Fielding in the Reagan administration and remains close to him, said: 'He has a firm, clear view of executive prerogative, but he also understands as well as anyone in Washington the constitutional need for compromise. He is not someone that takes an absolutist position and then drives the presidency and the branches together off the brink. He has judgment.' Mr. Luttig said Mr. Fielding had wrestled somewhat with the decision to become White House counsel, but ultimately, 'He did this out of a sense of obligation and patriotism, and that was the sole reason.' " [Full article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/09/washington/09counsel.html?_r=1&oref=slogin]

"Fielding, 67, brings the experience and political heft that White House Chief of Staff Joshua B. Bolten has been seeking to counter any aggressive moves to probe the most controversial decisions of the Bush presidency. Smooth and soft-spoken yet battle-hardened, Fielding is considered a Republican 'wise man' who Bush aides believe will be able to negotiate compromise without surrendering on the most important priorities." [Full article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/08/AR2007010801003.html]

"Fielding, who held the same position under President Ronald Reagan, will succeed the President's friend Harriet Miers, who last week announced her resignation, effective Jan. 31. An official who has been briefed on the impending announcement, which could come as soon as Tuesday, called Fielding 'the ultimate Washington lawyer-insider - he's the man to see.' 'He's the guy who helps you defend your position, stick to your principles, but tries to work out a reasonable compromise,' the official said. 'He's highly partisan, but he's highly regarded by everyone.'" [Full article at: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1575066,00.html]