Bauer Out As White House Counsel, Obama Names Ruemmler As Successor

Kathryn Ruemmler
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White House counsel and veteran Democratic attorney Bob Bauer is heading back to private practice and to serve as the top lawyer for the President’s re-election campaign at the end of July and will be replaced by his deputy, Kathryn Ruemmler, according to an administration release.

While Bauer will return to private practice at Perkins Coie, he will serve as general counsel to the President’s reelection campaign, general counsel to the Democratic National Committee, and personal lawyer to President Obama.

“Bob is a good friend and has served as a trusted adviser for many years,” Obama said in a written statement. “Bob was a critical member of the White House team. He has exceptional judgment, wisdom, and intellect, and he will continue to be one of my close advisers.”

Ruemmler, the principal deputy counsel to the President, joined the Obama Administration in January of 2009 as the principal associate deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice.

Before serving in the administration, Ruemmler was a litigation partner in the Washington office of Latham & Watkins from 2007 to 2009. Prior to Latham, Ruemmler served as a federal prosecutor for six years, where she was a co-lead prosecutor in the successful prosecution of former Enron executives for which she received the attorney general’s Award for Exceptional Service. She also served as associate counsel to President Bill Clinton. She is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Washington.

“Kathy is an outstanding lawyer with impeccable judgment,” said Obama. “Together, Bob and Kathy have led the White House Counsel’s office, and Kathy will assure that it continues to successfully manage its wide variety of responsibilities.”

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