James M. Cole
Encyclopedia
James Michael Cole is an American attorney who has served as United States Deputy Attorney General
since December 29, 2010. He was first installed as Deputy Attorney General following a recess appointment
by President Barack Obama on December 29, 2010. He then was confirmed by the United States Senate in a 55–42 vote on June 28, 2011.
, Cole earned a bachelor's degree in 1975 from the University of Colorado at Boulder
and a law degree
from the UC Hastings College of the Law in 1979.
for 13 years, from 1979 until 1992, when he entered private practice. During his time in the DOJ's public integrity division, Cole successfully prosecuted two federal judges on corruption charges, including Judge Robert Frederick Collins
in 1991. Even after leaving the DOJ, Cole remained involved in matters related to the federal government, serving in 1996 and 1997 as the special counsel to the United States House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
(known as the House Ethics Committee) during the investigation of Newt Gingrich
on ethics violations.
Cole was a partner at the law firm Bryan Cave
LLP from 1995 until December 2010.
In 2004, Cole and his law firm were hired as part of a 2004 agreement with the government to monitor AIG
's regulatory compliance, financial reporting, whistle-blower protection and employee retention policies, submitting confidential reports to the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
, who returned to private law practice. Senate Republicans blocked a confirmation vote on Cole throughout 2010.Cole had been waiting five months for a Senate vote on his nomination, the longest delay to fill that position in the 30 years. Cole received a recess appointment
to the position from Obama on December 29, 2010.
On May 5, 2011, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
filed for cloture of Cole's nomination on which a roll call vote was held on May 9, 2011. The motion, which required 60 votes to be agreed to, was rejected by a vote of 50-40 with 10 Senators not voting.
On June 23, 2011, Reid announced on the Senate floor that a full Senate vote on Cole's nomination would take place on June 28, 2011. Earlier in the week, Reid had reached a unanimous consent agreement with Republican leaders in the Senate to pave the way for a vote on the nominations of Cole and two other nominees to U.S. Department of Justice positions without the need for another cloture vote. The Senate then confirmed Cole in a 55–42 vote on June 28, 2011.
On June 29, 2011, Cole authored a letter expressing the federal government's new policy regarding the enforcement of marijuana offenses in states which have medical marijuana laws. This memo effectively rescinded the previous "Ogden Memo"'s mandate directing federal resources only for those not compliant with state law. The new policy disregards state law compliance and instead authorizes enforcement on all "persons who are in the business of cultivating, selling, or distributing marijuana and those who knowingly facilitate such activities..."
In August 2011 Cole confirmed what had been rumors around 11 AM saying the acquisition would result in “tens of millions of consumers in the United States facing higher prices, poorer quality services, fewer choices, and lower quality products for their mobile wireless service.” Competition, the spokesman explained, had benefited rural and low income users, as 4 carriers now competed for about 96% of the market. AT&T actually felt substantial competitive pressure from T-Mobile, the spokesman said, as they competed in “96 of the major 100 markets” across the U.S. Combining two of the four largest carriers would stifle such competition, the spokesman said.
United States Deputy Attorney General
United States Deputy Attorney General is the second-highest-ranking official in the United States Department of Justice. In the United States federal government, the Deputy Attorney General oversees the day-to-day operation of the Department of Justice, and may act as Attorney General during the...
since December 29, 2010. He was first installed as Deputy Attorney General following a recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
by President Barack Obama on December 29, 2010. He then was confirmed by the United States Senate in a 55–42 vote on June 28, 2011.
Early life and education
Born in Evanston, IllinoisEvanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
, Cole earned a bachelor's degree in 1975 from the University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
and a law degree
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...
from the UC Hastings College of the Law in 1979.
Professional career
Cole worked in the United States Department of JusticeUnited States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
for 13 years, from 1979 until 1992, when he entered private practice. During his time in the DOJ's public integrity division, Cole successfully prosecuted two federal judges on corruption charges, including Judge Robert Frederick Collins
Robert Frederick Collins
Robert Frederick Collins is a former United States federal judge.Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Collins received a B.A. from Dillard University in 1951 and an LL.B. from Louisiana State University Law School in 1954. He was in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. He was in private practice...
in 1991. Even after leaving the DOJ, Cole remained involved in matters related to the federal government, serving in 1996 and 1997 as the special counsel to the United States House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
United States House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
The Committee on Ethics, often known simply as the Ethics Committee, is one of the committees of the United States House of Representatives. Prior to the 112th Congress it was known as the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct....
(known as the House Ethics Committee) during the investigation of Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich
Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is a U.S. Republican Party politician who served as the House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995 and as the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999....
on ethics violations.
Cole was a partner at the law firm Bryan Cave
Bryan Cave
Bryan Cave LLP is an international law firm with twenty-one offices worldwide, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.- Overview :The international law firm Bryan Cave LLP dates back to 1873 in St. Louis. Founded in 1873 in St. Louis as King, Phillips and Stewart, the firm became Stewart, Bryan,...
LLP from 1995 until December 2010.
In 2004, Cole and his law firm were hired as part of a 2004 agreement with the government to monitor AIG
AIG
AIG is American International Group, a major American insurance corporation.AIG may also refer to:* And-inverter graph, a concept in computer theory* Answers in Genesis, a creationist organization in the U.S.* Arta Industrial Group in Iran...
's regulatory compliance, financial reporting, whistle-blower protection and employee retention policies, submitting confidential reports to the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Deputy Attorney General
On May 21, 2010, President Obama nominated (PN49) Cole for the position of Deputy Attorney General to replace David W. OgdenDavid W. Ogden
David William Ogden , known professionally as David W. Ogden, is the former Deputy Attorney General of the United States...
, who returned to private law practice. Senate Republicans blocked a confirmation vote on Cole throughout 2010.Cole had been waiting five months for a Senate vote on his nomination, the longest delay to fill that position in the 30 years. Cole received a recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
to the position from Obama on December 29, 2010.
On May 5, 2011, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Harry Reid
Harry Mason Reid is the senior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Senate Majority Leader since January 2007, having previously served as Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip.Previously, Reid was a member of the U.S...
filed for cloture of Cole's nomination on which a roll call vote was held on May 9, 2011. The motion, which required 60 votes to be agreed to, was rejected by a vote of 50-40 with 10 Senators not voting.
On June 23, 2011, Reid announced on the Senate floor that a full Senate vote on Cole's nomination would take place on June 28, 2011. Earlier in the week, Reid had reached a unanimous consent agreement with Republican leaders in the Senate to pave the way for a vote on the nominations of Cole and two other nominees to U.S. Department of Justice positions without the need for another cloture vote. The Senate then confirmed Cole in a 55–42 vote on June 28, 2011.
On June 29, 2011, Cole authored a letter expressing the federal government's new policy regarding the enforcement of marijuana offenses in states which have medical marijuana laws. This memo effectively rescinded the previous "Ogden Memo"'s mandate directing federal resources only for those not compliant with state law. The new policy disregards state law compliance and instead authorizes enforcement on all "persons who are in the business of cultivating, selling, or distributing marijuana and those who knowingly facilitate such activities..."
In August 2011 Cole confirmed what had been rumors around 11 AM saying the acquisition would result in “tens of millions of consumers in the United States facing higher prices, poorer quality services, fewer choices, and lower quality products for their mobile wireless service.” Competition, the spokesman explained, had benefited rural and low income users, as 4 carriers now competed for about 96% of the market. AT&T actually felt substantial competitive pressure from T-Mobile, the spokesman said, as they competed in “96 of the major 100 markets” across the U.S. Combining two of the four largest carriers would stifle such competition, the spokesman said.