John R. Lausch, Jr | Department of Justice
John R. Lausch, Jr | Department of Justice
Former Northern District of Illinois U.S. Attorney John Lausch has rejoined the Kirkland and Ellis law firm.
He left Kirkland in 1999 to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the Northern District of Illinois.
"I'm excited to return to private practice and to Kirkland, which provided me with a strong foundation of skills for my legal career," Lausch said in a press release from Kirkland. "I'm looking forward to reconnecting with old colleagues, meeting new people and putting my skills and experience to work for clients.”
Jon A. Ballis, chairman of Kirkland's executive committee, welcomed Lausch back.
"John is an exceptional talent who has served with distinction in government and private practice throughout his career,” Ballis said in the press release. ”With his vast experience he could have gone anywhere, but we're delighted he chose to come back to Kirkland, adding strength to strength in our government, regulatory and internal investigations practice "
Lausch was a 2017 Trump appointee. He began his legal career at Kirkland and Ellis in 1997. He is a graduate of Harvard University and the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
Lausch announced he’d be leaving the Northern District of Illinois just after being asked to become special counsel in a matter involving President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents that were found in a box in his garage. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Lausch’s departure during a press conference, saying Lausch “would be unable to accept any longer-term assignment because he would be leaving the Department [of Justice] in early 2023 for the private sector."
At the time, Lausch was overseeing investigations into former House Speaker Michael Madigan and former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke. Madigan awaits trial scheduled for April 2024 on 23 counts of public corruption, including bribery in relation to the treatment given to ComEd and AT&T. Burke – who recently stepped down as alderman – is under indictment for racketeering after allegedly shaking down a fast food restaurant seeking to open in the city.
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