Jeh Johnson, general counsel at the Defense Department since 2009, is stepping down from his post at the end of the year to return to private practice, the Washington Post reports.
Emily Heil writes Johnson is expected to return to Paul, Weiss Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, a law firm where he previously was a partner.
After serving as a federal prosecutor in New York’s southern district between 1988 and 1991, he joined the firm and tried several cases for clients such as Armstrong World Industries, Citigroup and Salomon Smith Barney.
He re-joined the firm in January 2001 after serving as general counsel for the Air Force for 27 months, starting in October 2008.
While in New York, he prosecuted public corruption cases, trying 12 cases and arguing 11 appeals.
The New York Times reports his name had been floated within Pentagon circles as a potential successor to Attorney General Eric Holder.
However, he has said he wants to return to private practice after taking some time off, Charlie Savage writes.
