Former U.S. Solicitor Gen. Donald B. Verrilli Jr., who successfully defended President Obama’s healthcare plan before the Supreme Court, is joining the Los Angeles law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson, it was reported today.
Verrilli, 59, will lead the firm’s new Washington office, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“This firm has an extraordinary reputation, and they established a national powerhouse presence without having offices outside of California,” Verrilli said in remarks reported by The Times. “For me, this is an opportunity to launch and build an office that can attract and retain the best lawyers.”
Ronald Olson, a partner, said the firm had long discussed opening a Washington office and saw an opportunity when Verrilli left the government.
“Don is a world-class lawyer. And our philosophy is to hire the best talent available,” Olson said, according to The Times. “His values and ours are in sync, and we believe he will help us extend our practice and our presence.”
Verrilli stepped down in June after a five-year term as the government’s top lawyer before the Supreme Court. He had served in the Justice Department and the White House counsel’s office before the president asked him to step into the job after Elena Kagan was elevated to the high court.
