< Back to Front Page Text size +

Harvard Law prof heads to Washington

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor January 23, 2009 06:08 PM

Harvard Law School professor Daniel J. Meltzer is following the school's former dean to White House to become principal deputy counsel to President Obama, the law school said this afternoon.

The White House Counselšs Office advises the president on the exercise of powers, oversees executive and judicial appointments and nominations, and communicates with the Justice Department, among other duties.

Meltzer, a leading scholar in the fields of federal court jurisdiction and criminal procedure, joined the law school faculty in 1982 and served as associate dean from 1989 to 1993, the school said.

Former dean Elena Kagan is now solicitor general, Obama's voice at the Supreme Court.

Obama is a Harvard Law grad (President Barack Obama '91, as the law school likes to say).

  • CommentComment
  • EmailEmail
add your comment *(If you put a URL in your comment, it must be relevant )
Required
Required (will not be published)

This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.

About Political Intelligence

Reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors about the Obama administration, the Massachusetts congressional delegation, and other national political happenings.

News from the Washington Bureau

Worries grow that health overhaul could price out many

President Obama has promised that the nation’s health care overhaul will make medical insurance available - and affordable - for everyone. But while bills in Congress would make insurance more accessible for millions of Americans, advocates worry that the Senate bill would impose significant financial burdens on some of the families who will now be required to buy ... (Globe Staff, 12/6/09)

Once again, Kerry is Obama’s go-to guy in Senate

John F. Kerry of Massachusetts has emerged as the White House’s ambassador in the Senate on a wide range of issues, a role the Democratic lawmaker will showcase in the coming weeks as he lobbies his wary colleagues to support President Obama’s Afghanistan war plan. (Globe Staff, 12/6/09)

Another McGovern takes on a war

Representative James P. McGovern, a political activist since he was a schoolboy in Worcester, walked into his congressional office yesterday and proudly pointed to a 1972 presidential campaign poster on his wall: “We’ve been misled too often. Demand Truth. George McGovern.’’ (Globe Staff, 12/5/09)

Obama team now talking surge

WASHINGTON - Three years after Barack Obama strongly rebuked President Bush’s surge of US troops to Iraq, Obama dispatched top administration officials to Capitol Hill yesterday to defend a surge of his own. (Globe Staff, 12/2/09)

Afghan war cost grips both parties

A day before he is scheduled to announce a new strategy in Afghanistan, President Obama is under increasing pressure to explain how his administration intends to pay the rising costs of military operations in Afghanistan, which average about $3.6 billion per month. (Globe Staff, 11/30/09)

Declassification of secret documents to be delayed

WASHINGTON - President Obama will maintain a lid of secrecy on millions of pages of military and intelligence documents that were scheduled to be declassified by the end of the year, according to administration officials. (Globe Staff, 11/29/09)

Tax break on profits again in jeopardy

An effort in Congress to eliminate a generous tax break for hedge fund managers, private-equity specialists, and venture capitalists, which could be taken up next week in the House Ways and Means Committee, is being met with resistance by opponents who say the move would weaken the economy. (Globe Staff, 11/26/09)

In N.E. governors’ races, GOP sees a chance to build on gains

Invigorated by state house victories earlier this month in Virginia and New Jersey, Republicans are turning their attention to governorships in New England, where they believe the retirement of four incumbents and a competitive race in Massachusetts has created wide-open opportunities. (Globe Correspondent, 11/25/09)

Senators voice optimism on public option

WASHINGTON - Buoyed by their weekend victory on a vote beginning the health care debate, several Senate Democrats expressed optimism yesterday they could find a way to keep a government-run insurance plan in the sweeping bill. (Globe Staff, 11/23/09)

Health overhaul narrowly advances

The Senate narrowly overcame the first of two critical hurdles to passing sweeping health care legislation last night, mustering the minimum of 60 votes required to begin debate on the bill and opening a volatile floor fight likely to last weeks. (Globe Staff 11/22/09)
archives