Legal Commentary

Obama Names Second U.S. Attorney From Same NC Law Firm

By Jeralyn

Today President Obama announced the nomination of Ann Tompkins for U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. She's a partner in the law firm Alston & Bird.

A few weeks ago, Obama nominated Thomas G. Walker to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. He's also a partner at Alston & Bird.

Open Secrets says Alston & Bird is a lobbying firm that made $8.1 million in lobbying fees in 2009. Here are their health care clients. [More...]

Tom Daschle is a former advisor to the firm. Robert Dole is still there. Through 2008, firm employees contributed $62,000 to Obama's campaigns. The firm's PAC contributed $118,000 to congressional candidates in the 2007-2008 election cycle.

The U.S. Attorneys' job has always been a political plum that goes to lawyers who have helped (or whose firms have helped)the political party making the appointment. Which isn't to say either of the N.C. appointments aren't qualified or deserving of the job. But would either have been picked, but for the political clout of their firm? I tend to doubt it.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on December 24, 2009 (boomark / email).