President Trump has a new White House Counsel in Pat Cipollone and once confirmed, a new Attorney General in William Barr. Learn more about these two distinguished attorneys.
Who is William Barr, the nominee for Attorney General?
William Barr has had a long career in public service spanning from his early days before he was an attorney to serving at the U.S. Attorney General for former President George H.W. Bush. Barr received his B.A. and M.A. from Columbia in 1973, then went on to receive his J.D. from George Washington University Law School in 1977. During such time, he worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. After graduating, Barr clerked for Judge Malcolm Wilkey of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; then went on to serve on the domestic policy staff in the White House during the Reagan administration.
In 1989, President George H.W. Bush appointed Barr to serve in the Department of Justice as the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel; then quickly in 1990, appointed as the Deputy Attorney General. Taking notice of Barr’s strong leadership ability and defense of Presidential power, President H.W. Bush nominated him to be Attorney General of the United States.
During his confirmation process he received a positive reception and many accolades from both Republican and Democrats. Specifically, during his hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary, then-Chairman Joe Biden, having disagreed with Barr on several responses, stated his responses were “the first candid answer” he had heard from a nominee and that Barr was “a throwback to the days when we actually had attorneys general that would talk to you.” (Ostrow, Ronald J. (1991). "Judiciary Panel Approves Barr for Attorney General". Los Angeles Times.) Barr was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, days later confirmed by a voice vote by the full Senate, and sworn in as Attorney General on November 26, 1991.
Barr has received accolades from both side of the aisle; therefore, it will be difficult for the Democrats to try to derail his appointment, because their own words of praise can definitely be used against them. Based on Barr’s esteemed career in public service and private career, he should face little to no substantial objection to his nomination.
Who is Pat Cipollone, the new White House Counsel?
Pat Cipollone began his career in public service, followed by an extensive career in the private sector. Cipollone received his B.A. from Fordham University and then went on to receive his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School. After law school, Cipollone clerked for Judge Danny J. Boggs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. After his clerkship, Cipollone served as an assistant to then-Attorney General William Barr.
Since working at the Department of Justice with Attorney General Barr, Cipollone has had an extensive career in the private sector, previously serving as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP and just prior to his appointment as White House Counsel serving as a partner at Stein, Mitchell, Cipollone, Beasto, & Missner, LLP. His practice areas included: commercial litigation, corporate litigation, antitrust and trade regulations, government contracts, and defamation (personal and corporate). He has extensive experience is disputes involving state and federal agencies and has litigated cases in both state and federal courts.
Cipollone has received praise from attorneys in the public and private sector for his outstanding record and his wide ranging breadth of experience. He will be a great addition to the Administration, serving as the White House Counsel.