Summary: Virginia Seitz, a former partner of Sidley Austin, has returned to the firm after serving as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel.
Virginia Seitz, former Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel in the U.S. Department of Justice, has returned to the firm as a partner in the Supreme Court and Appellate practice in Washington, D.C. Seitz previously served as a partner at Sidley from 1998-2011.
Mark Hopson, managing partner of the Washington, D.C. office, said, “We are delighted that Virginia’s accomplished career path has led her back to Sidley. She is an extraordinarily well-respected and thoughtful lawyer, and we will benefit from her recent experience advising on some of the most complex legal issues of our time.”
Seitz was nominated by President Obama to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel. After the Senate confirmed the nomination, Seitz was sworn in in September 2011 and remained in the position until December 2013. During this time, Seitz was responsible for providing legal advice to the President, Executive Branch departments, and other agencies on various complex and important issues, including disputes between federal agencies.
Peter Keisler, co-chair of the firm’s Appellate practice, said, “Virginia has blazed trails throughout her legal career—from being a highly-respected litigation partner at Sidley while working part-time, to becoming the first woman to be named Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel—and we are delighted she will be resuming her practice at Sidley. Her extensive experience in the Supreme Court and the federal courts of appeals complements our national appellate practice’s broad focus, and we are excited to have her rejoin the firm as a leading member of the team.”
Seitz has argued before the Supreme Court and various courts of appeals in a multitude of cases. She has handled district court litigation involving federal issues, including questions of constitutional law. She previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennen, Jr., as well as Judge Harry T. Edwards of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. She has a reputation for being a pioneer for individuals in the legal field who want to pursue a powerful career as well as raise a family. Seitz worked part-time for Sidley Austin to have time with her own children.
Seitz said, “I am very happy to return to Sidley. I have deep respect for the firm’s professionalism, integrity and collegiality, and I look forward to practicing law with the terrific lawyers there.”
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