President Bush Names Fred F. Fielding to Serve as White House Counsel

Fred F. Fielding, a name partner at the Washington, DC law firm Wiley Rein & Fielding, has been named by President Bush to serve as Counsel to the President, succeeding outgoing counsel Harriet Miers.  Fielding, who joined the firm in 1986 following his tenure as White House Counsel to President Reagan, will assume the post on February 1, 2007.

Widely respected for his integrity and discretion, Fielding has long been a dedicated public servant.  He served as a member of President Bush’s transition team and has held the positions of Counsel to President Ronald Reagan (1981-1986) and Deputy Counsel to President Richard Nixon (1970-1974).  President Reagan said of Fielding, “At times of crisis, his was a voice of calm and reason.  His intellect, skill, and tact mixed with warm personal qualities of compassion and good humor enabled him to discharge his duties with uncompromising integrity and a deep and unviolated respect for the innumerable confidences with which he was entrusted.” 

A Republican known for being able to bridge both sides of the aisle, Fielding served on the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.  As The Wall Street Journal noted, “His personal integrity and political pitch are nearly perfect. He's a very smart lawyer. He knows the moves. He's a real Washington insider.”

Managing Partner Richard E. Wiley commented, “Fred is a man of unquestioned integrity and wisdom.  The President has made an excellent choice in appointing Fred to this important position.  We wish Fred only the best and we will miss him.”

Mr. Fielding has long been recognized by his peers and colleagues as occupying a distinct place among the capital’s preeminent attorneys, a stature that is reflected in his many accolades and awards.  In 2005, Fielding was awarded a Medal of Honor by Gettysburg College.  Dubbed a “Legend in the Law,” in 2004, the Bar Association of the District of Columbia also named Mr. Fielding its “Lawyer of the Year.”  Washingtonian magazine has recognized him as a “Top Criminal Defense Lawyer” and “Top Appointments Lawyer.”  Corporate Counsel magazine has named Mr. Fielding as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” for excellence in business litigation, and he has been recognized as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” for commercial litigation and government relations law since 1996.

Mr. Fielding received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and his A.B., with honors, from Gettysburg College.