Greg Craig
Encyclopedia
Gregory Bestor "Greg" Craig (born March 4, 1945) is a Washington-based lawyer and former White House Counsel
under President Barack Obama
. He has represented numerous high-profile clients, including John W. Hinckley, Jr., who was acquitted of the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan
by reason of insanity, and, in 2010, Goldman Sachs
. As assistant to the President and special counsel in the White House
of President Bill Clinton
, Craig directed the team defending Clinton against impeachment
. He was a foreign policy advisor to Senator Edward Kennedy
and to Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright
.
, Virginia
, the son of William G. Craig, a university educator, former associate dean of students at Stanford University
, president of several universities and colleges, and first Director of Training for the Peace Corps
, who died in 2005. Greg Craig's mother, Lois, was attentive to four boys, two of whom had learning disabilities; she worked with them endlessly; one is now a teacher and the other is a medical doctor. Lois also owned a bookstore in the Craigs' hometown of Middlebury, Vermont.
Greg Craig went to Philips Exeter Academy, then graduated in the class of 1967 of Harvard
(where he sang in the a cappella
group the Harvard Krokodiloes). While an undergraduate, Greg gave leadership to and was a major fundraiser for Harlem Prep, organized to create academic opportunities at the highest level. During this time Greg also traveled to South Africa with Allard K. Lowenstein
, to declare common cause with those seeking an end to racist policies. Greg and Al Lowenstein, joined by Bill Clinton and others, were instrumental in beginning the student opposition to the war in Vietnam. Lowenstein said at that time: "Either Bill or Greg could some day be President of the United States." Following Harvard Craig won the Lionel de Jersey Harvard Scholarship to Emmanuel College at Cambridge University. He received his J.D.
in 1972 from Yale Law School
, where he met Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham
.
Craig's first employment following law school was with the Washington-based law firm Williams & Connolly
, and he was a partner with the firm before becoming President Obama's counsel. His previous year's income, in a 2009 report, was a salary of $1.7 million from the firm, where he was reported to have been a partner since 1999.
, helping put together an insanity defense that led to Hinckley's acquittal.
Craig represented Senator Ted Kennedy
during the 1991 rape trial of William Kennedy Smith
. (The Senator himself faced no charges in this trial.)
He represented the Cuban father of Elián González during the 2000 child custody dispute which ended when U.S. Marshals enforced court orders that the child be moved from the Florida home of relatives, where they had influenced the child to make a number of videos lashing out at his father. The courts ultimately supported the father's contention that the child should be returned to his custody.
Craig represented United Nations
Secretary-General
Kofi Annan
during the Volker Commission's investigations in 2004 into the scandals involving the oil-for-food programme
.
Recently, he represented Pedro Miguel González Pinzón
, a Panamanian legislator wanted in the US for the murder in 1992 of a US soldier, and the attempted murder of another. The Dallas Morning News called on Senator Obama to ask Craig to choose between the campaign and involvement in the case. Craig had earlier represented the Panamá
government during the trial in 1990 of the former president, General Manuel Noriega
and had sought the return to Panamá's treasury of funds stolen by Noriega.
In June 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice granted asylum to two of Craig's clients, former Bolivian President
Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada
and former Minister of Defense Carlos Sánchez Berzaín. The two Bolivians were being accused of "genocide" (along with, among others, Evo Morales
and Felipe Quispe
) in Bolivia after approximately 60 policemen, soldiers and protesters died in violent clashes in El Alto
, Warizata and Sorata
in 2003.
In 1977, he represented the first FBI agent ever to be indicted, John J. Kearney, who was accused of illegal wiretapping, breaking and entering
, and mail opening in connection with the FBI investigation of the Weatherman
. That same year, working with Edward Bennett Williams
, Mr. Craig represented the former CIA Director, Richard Helms
, who was under grand jury investigation for alleged perjury in his 1973 testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
, concerning the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, and the role the United States played in it.
In 1983 to 1984, working with Edward Bennett Williams, Mr. Craig represented Victor Posner
, who was charged with tax evasion in federal court in Miami.
’s Senior Advisor on Defense, Foreign Policy and National Security issues for five years (1984–88).
In 1997 Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
made Craig one of her senior advisors, and he served as Director of Policy Planning from 1997–98. In late 1997 he was appointed as a special coordinator to focus attention on China's suppression of Tibet's cultural and religious traditions.
In September 1998 President Clinton appointed Craig as Assistant to the President and Special Counsel in the White House
, where he directed the President’s team defending against impeachment. He was also a member of the President’s trial team in the United States Senate.
. Craig's explanation of the apparent turn-around included a statement that Obama had "concluded that with FISA expiring, it was better to get a compromise than let the law expire." This drew the criticism that Obama and/or his legal advisors had mistakenly supposed that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was due to expire in the first place.
to help prepare Barack Obama for his first debate against the Republican nominee. He had played a similar role, "playing" President George W. Bush
in mock debates to coach Democratic nominee John Kerry
for his three general election match-ups against the incumbent in 2004.
In its November 2008 issue, the American Bar Association
's monthly magazine, ABA Journal, predicted that Craig would be named Secretary of State
in an Obama administration. However, Craig was ultimately appointed as White House Counsel
in the administration.
In the first year of the Obama administration, Craig was prominent in handling several issues—taking the first step toward fulfilling the campaign pledge to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp; the search that produced the Supreme Court
nomination of Justice Sonia Sotomayor
; revising interrogation
and detention
policies; the release of Department of Justice memos on harsh interrogations; and "he was at the center of the White House decision to reverse itself and withhold photographs of detainee abuse." Criticism of the administration's handling of some of these issues has reportedly resulted, by October, 2009, in a certain questioning of Craig's ability to continue as counsel. While he said he intended to stay, others said he'd be gone by the end of the year. He was replaced by Robert Bauer
. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-obama-greg-craig-and-bob-bauer CNN cites that he was forced out because of his role in advising Obama to close Guantanamo Bay by January 2010, a task that cannot be achieved.
In his resignation letter he said he would serve until 3 January 2010. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/Letter%20from%20Greg%20Craig.PDF
, LLP, one of the largest law firms in the United States.
In April, 2010, it was reported that Craig was engaged to advise financial giant Goldman Sachs on litigation strategy before the Securities and Exchange Commission filed its civil suit. Skadden is a long-time lawyer to Goldman. Concern that a recent Obama Administration member would lobby
on behalf of such a high-profile object of both regulatory and legislative attention was expressed and deflected. Though there is a two-year Administration ban to avoid revolving door
concerns, Craig said "I am a lawyer, not a lobbyist," and legal representation is not covered by the ban.
Craig has also been retained by former Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidate John Edwards
in his federal case that alleges Edwards illegally used campaign funds to cover up his affair with Rielle Hunter
.
. They have five children: Will, Eliza (Ziza), Margaret (Maggie), Mary, and James.
White House Counsel
The White House Counsel is a staff appointee of the President of the United States.-Role:The Counsel's role is to advise the President on all legal issues concerning the President and the White House...
under President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
. He has represented numerous high-profile clients, including John W. Hinckley, Jr., who was acquitted of the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
by reason of insanity, and, in 2010, Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...
. As assistant to the President and special counsel in the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
of President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
, Craig directed the team defending Clinton against impeachment
Impeachment
Impeachment is a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as other punishment....
. He was a foreign policy advisor to Senator Edward Kennedy
Edward Kennedy
Edward Kennedy may refer to:*Ted Kennedy, Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy , United States Senator from Massachusetts*Edward Kennedy , journalist who first reported the German surrender in World War II*Edward Kennedy, Jr., son of U.S...
and to Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Korbelová Albright is the first woman to become a United States Secretary of State. She was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996, and was unanimously confirmed by a U.S. Senate vote of 99–0...
.
Early years and legal career
Craig was born in NorfolkNorfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, the son of William G. Craig, a university educator, former associate dean of students at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, president of several universities and colleges, and first Director of Training for the Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
, who died in 2005. Greg Craig's mother, Lois, was attentive to four boys, two of whom had learning disabilities; she worked with them endlessly; one is now a teacher and the other is a medical doctor. Lois also owned a bookstore in the Craigs' hometown of Middlebury, Vermont.
Greg Craig went to Philips Exeter Academy, then graduated in the class of 1967 of Harvard
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
(where he sang in the a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
group the Harvard Krokodiloes). While an undergraduate, Greg gave leadership to and was a major fundraiser for Harlem Prep, organized to create academic opportunities at the highest level. During this time Greg also traveled to South Africa with Allard K. Lowenstein
Allard K. Lowenstein
Allard Kenneth Lowenstein, , was a liberal Democratic politician, a one-term congressman representing the 5th District in Nassau County, New York from 1969 until 1971. His work on civil rights and the antiwar movement has been cited as an inspiration by public figures including Congressmen, John...
, to declare common cause with those seeking an end to racist policies. Greg and Al Lowenstein, joined by Bill Clinton and others, were instrumental in beginning the student opposition to the war in Vietnam. Lowenstein said at that time: "Either Bill or Greg could some day be President of the United States." Following Harvard Craig won the Lionel de Jersey Harvard Scholarship to Emmanuel College at Cambridge University. He received his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1972 from Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
, where he met Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
.
Craig's first employment following law school was with the Washington-based law firm Williams & Connolly
Williams & Connolly
Williams & Connolly LLP is a prominent litigation firm based in Washington, D.C. The firm was founded by trial lawyer Edward Bennett Williams, who left the partnership of D.C. firm Hogan & Hartson to launch his own litigation boutique....
, and he was a partner with the firm before becoming President Obama's counsel. His previous year's income, in a 2009 report, was a salary of $1.7 million from the firm, where he was reported to have been a partner since 1999.
Private clients
Craig has represented numerous high-profile clients. In 1981, he was a member of the team that represented John W. Hinckley, Jr., who tried to assassinate Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, helping put together an insanity defense that led to Hinckley's acquittal.
Craig represented Senator Ted Kennedy
Edward Kennedy
Edward Kennedy may refer to:*Ted Kennedy, Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy , United States Senator from Massachusetts*Edward Kennedy , journalist who first reported the German surrender in World War II*Edward Kennedy, Jr., son of U.S...
during the 1991 rape trial of William Kennedy Smith
William Kennedy Smith
William Kennedy Smith is an American physician whose work focuses on landmines and the rehabilitation of people disabled by them....
. (The Senator himself faced no charges in this trial.)
He represented the Cuban father of Elián González during the 2000 child custody dispute which ended when U.S. Marshals enforced court orders that the child be moved from the Florida home of relatives, where they had influenced the child to make a number of videos lashing out at his father. The courts ultimately supported the father's contention that the child should be returned to his custody.
Craig represented United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Secretary-General
United Nations Secretary-General
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is the head of the Secretariat of the United Nations, one of the principal organs of the United Nations. The Secretary-General also acts as the de facto spokesperson and leader of the United Nations....
Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
during the Volker Commission's investigations in 2004 into the scandals involving the oil-for-food programme
Oil-for-Food Programme
The Oil-for-Food Programme , established by the United Nations in 1995 was established with the stated intent to allow Iraq to sell oil on the world market in exchange for food, medicine, and other humanitarian needs for ordinary Iraqi citizens without allowing Iraq to boost its military...
.
Recently, he represented Pedro Miguel González Pinzón
Pedro Miguel González Pinzón
Pedro Miguel González Pinzón is a leading political figure in Panama who was indicted by a U.S. federal court in October 1992 for the June 10, 1992 killing of an American serviceman, Sgt. Zak Hernández, and the serious wounding of another, Sgt. Ronald T...
, a Panamanian legislator wanted in the US for the murder in 1992 of a US soldier, and the attempted murder of another. The Dallas Morning News called on Senator Obama to ask Craig to choose between the campaign and involvement in the case. Craig had earlier represented the Panamá
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
government during the trial in 1990 of the former president, General Manuel Noriega
Manuel Noriega
Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno is a Panamanian politician and soldier. He was military dictator of Panama from 1983 to 1989.The 1989 invasion of Panama by the United States removed him from power; he was captured, detained as a prisoner of war, and flown to the United States. Noriega was tried on...
and had sought the return to Panamá's treasury of funds stolen by Noriega.
In June 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice granted asylum to two of Craig's clients, former Bolivian President
President of Bolivia
The President of Bolivia is head of state and head of government of Bolivia. According to the current Constitution, the president is elected by popular vote to a five year term, renewable once...
Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada
Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada
Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada y Sánchez de Bustamante , familiarly known as "Goni", is a Bolivian politician, businessman, and former President of Bolivia. A lifelong member of the Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario , he is credited for using "shock therapy", the economic theory championed by then...
and former Minister of Defense Carlos Sánchez Berzaín. The two Bolivians were being accused of "genocide" (along with, among others, Evo Morales
Evo Morales
Juan Evo Morales Ayma , popularly known as Evo , is a Bolivian politician and activist, currently serving as the 80th President of Bolivia, a position that he has held since 2006. He is also the leader of both the Movement for Socialism party and the cocalero trade union...
and Felipe Quispe
Felipe Quispe
Felipe Quispe Huanca "El Mallku" is an ethnic Aymara Bolivian political leader. He heads the Pachakuti Indigenous Movement and has also been general secretary of the United Union Confederation of Working Peasants of Bolivia...
) in Bolivia after approximately 60 policemen, soldiers and protesters died in violent clashes in El Alto
El Alto
At one time merely a suburb of adjacent La Paz, Bolivia, on the Altiplano highlands, the city of El Alto is today one of Bolivia's largest and fastest-growing urban centers. As of the 2001 census, the population was 649,958. In 2010, the population may be nearly 900,000, or more. The city contains...
, Warizata and Sorata
Sorata
Sorata is a small town in the La Paz Department in the Bolivian Andes, northwest of the city of La Paz and east of Lake Titicaca. It is the seat of the Larecaja Province and the Sorata Municipality. At the time of census 2001 it had a population of 2,217....
in 2003.
In 1977, he represented the first FBI agent ever to be indicted, John J. Kearney, who was accused of illegal wiretapping, breaking and entering
Burglary
Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...
, and mail opening in connection with the FBI investigation of the Weatherman
Weatherman (organization)
Weatherman, known colloquially as the Weathermen and later the Weather Underground Organization , was an American radical left organization. It originated in 1969 as a faction of Students for a Democratic Society composed for the most part of the national office leadership of SDS and their...
. That same year, working with Edward Bennett Williams
Edward Bennett Williams
Edward Bennett Williams was a Washington, D.C. trial attorney who founded the law firm of Williams & Connolly and owned several professional sports teams...
, Mr. Craig represented the former CIA Director, Richard Helms
Richard Helms
Richard McGarrah Helms was the Director of Central Intelligence from 1966 to 1973. He was the only director to have been convicted of lying to the United States Congress over Central Intelligence Agency undercover activities. In 1977, he was sentenced to the maximum fine and received a suspended...
, who was under grand jury investigation for alleged perjury in his 1973 testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
The United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is a standing committee of the United States Senate. It is charged with leading foreign-policy legislation and debate in the Senate. The Foreign Relations Committee is generally responsible for overseeing and funding foreign aid programs as...
, concerning the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, and the role the United States played in it.
In 1983 to 1984, working with Edward Bennett Williams, Mr. Craig represented Victor Posner
Victor Posner
Victor Posner was an American businessman. He was known as one of the highest paid business executives of his generation. He was a pioneer of the leveraged buyout.-Career:...
, who was charged with tax evasion in federal court in Miami.
Public service
Craig served as Senator Edward KennedyEdward Kennedy
Edward Kennedy may refer to:*Ted Kennedy, Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy , United States Senator from Massachusetts*Edward Kennedy , journalist who first reported the German surrender in World War II*Edward Kennedy, Jr., son of U.S...
’s Senior Advisor on Defense, Foreign Policy and National Security issues for five years (1984–88).
In 1997 Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Korbelová Albright is the first woman to become a United States Secretary of State. She was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996, and was unanimously confirmed by a U.S. Senate vote of 99–0...
made Craig one of her senior advisors, and he served as Director of Policy Planning from 1997–98. In late 1997 he was appointed as a special coordinator to focus attention on China's suppression of Tibet's cultural and religious traditions.
In September 1998 President Clinton appointed Craig as Assistant to the President and Special Counsel in the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
, where he directed the President’s team defending against impeachment. He was also a member of the President’s trial team in the United States Senate.
In the Obama presidential campaign
Because of his close ties to the Clintons, when Craig declared his support of Senator Barack Obama's presidential ambitions in March 2007, it attracted widespread attention.FISA controversy
As a spokesman for the Obama campaign, Craig dealt with the senator's reversal of an earlier commitment to filibuster the FISA Amendments Act of 2008FISA Amendments Act of 2008
The FISA Amendments Act of 2008 is an Act of Congress that amended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.-Background:...
. Craig's explanation of the apparent turn-around included a statement that Obama had "concluded that with FISA expiring, it was better to get a compromise than let the law expire." This drew the criticism that Obama and/or his legal advisors had mistakenly supposed that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was due to expire in the first place.
Debate prep
In 2008, Craig played the part of John McCainJohn McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
to help prepare Barack Obama for his first debate against the Republican nominee. He had played a similar role, "playing" President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
in mock debates to coach Democratic nominee John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
for his three general election match-ups against the incumbent in 2004.
In the Obama administration
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
's monthly magazine, ABA Journal, predicted that Craig would be named Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
in an Obama administration. However, Craig was ultimately appointed as White House Counsel
White House Counsel
The White House Counsel is a staff appointee of the President of the United States.-Role:The Counsel's role is to advise the President on all legal issues concerning the President and the White House...
in the administration.
In the first year of the Obama administration, Craig was prominent in handling several issues—taking the first step toward fulfilling the campaign pledge to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp; the search that produced the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
nomination of Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Sonia Sotomayor
Sonia Maria Sotomayor is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving since August 2009. Sotomayor is the Court's 111th justice, its first Hispanic justice, and its third female justice....
; revising interrogation
Enhanced interrogation techniques
Enhanced interrogation techniques or alternative set of procedures are terms adopted by the George W. Bush administration in the United States to describe certain severe interrogation methods, often described as torture...
and detention
Extrajudicial prisoners of the United States
Extrajudicial prisoners of the United States, in the context of the War on Terrorism, refers to foreign nationals the United States detains outside of the legal process required within United States legal jurisdiction. In this context, the U.S...
policies; the release of Department of Justice memos on harsh interrogations; and "he was at the center of the White House decision to reverse itself and withhold photographs of detainee abuse." Criticism of the administration's handling of some of these issues has reportedly resulted, by October, 2009, in a certain questioning of Craig's ability to continue as counsel. While he said he intended to stay, others said he'd be gone by the end of the year. He was replaced by Robert Bauer
Robert Bauer
Robert F. Bauer is an American attorney who previously served as White House Counsel under President of the United States Barack Obama.-Education:...
. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-obama-greg-craig-and-bob-bauer CNN cites that he was forced out because of his role in advising Obama to close Guantanamo Bay by January 2010, a task that cannot be achieved.
In his resignation letter he said he would serve until 3 January 2010. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/Letter%20from%20Greg%20Craig.PDF
Private practice after the White House
Craig is currently a partner in the Washington, DC office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & FlomSkadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates , founded in 1948, is a prominent law firm based in New York City. With over 2,000 attorneys, it is one of the largest and highest-grossing law firms in the world. Forbes magazine calls Skadden "Wall Street's most powerful law firm"...
, LLP, one of the largest law firms in the United States.
In April, 2010, it was reported that Craig was engaged to advise financial giant Goldman Sachs on litigation strategy before the Securities and Exchange Commission filed its civil suit. Skadden is a long-time lawyer to Goldman. Concern that a recent Obama Administration member would lobby
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
on behalf of such a high-profile object of both regulatory and legislative attention was expressed and deflected. Though there is a two-year Administration ban to avoid revolving door
Revolving door (politics)
The revolving door is the movement of personnel between roles as legislators and regulators and the industries affected by the legislation and regulation and on within lobbying companies. In some cases the roles are performed in sequence but in certain circumstances may be performed at the same time...
concerns, Craig said "I am a lawyer, not a lobbyist," and legal representation is not covered by the ban.
Craig has also been retained by former Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidate John Edwards
John Edwards
Johnny Reid "John" Edwards is an American politician, who served as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina. He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2004, and was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and 2008.He defeated incumbent Republican Lauch Faircloth in...
in his federal case that alleges Edwards illegally used campaign funds to cover up his affair with Rielle Hunter
Rielle Hunter
Rielle Hunter , August 1, 2008, San Jose Mercury-News. is an American actress and film producer. She is known for having had an affair with and conceiving a child with 2004 Democratic Party vice-presidential nominee John Edwards., August 8, 2008, Chicago Tribune. She is said to be the basis of a...
.
Personal life
Craig is married to Derry Noyes, a graphic designer who has designed several postage stamps for the United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
. They have five children: Will, Eliza (Ziza), Margaret (Maggie), Mary, and James.
See also
- Impeachment of Bill ClintonImpeachment of Bill ClintonBill Clinton, President of the United States, was impeached by the House of Representatives on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice on December 19, 1998, but acquitted by the Senate on February 12, 1999. Two other impeachment articles, a second perjury charge and a charge of abuse of...
- Elián González affair
- PanamáPanamaPanama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
- NSA warrantless surveillance controversyNSA warrantless surveillance controversyThe NSA warrantless surveillance controversy concerns surveillance of persons within the United States during the collection of foreign intelligence by the U.S. National Security Agency as part of the war on terror...
External links
- 30-minute video interview, on Dec. 24, 2007, with Greg Craig on C-SPAN about Senator Obama's foreign policy.
- Video interview of Greg Craig from an Aug. 2007 episode of The Charlie Rose Show on topic of Senator Obama's statements with respect to Pakistan.
- Video describing the Vietnam "Phoenix Program" that client Richard Helms administered