This article originally appeared in Bloomberg Law written by Stephanie Russell-Kraft. You can read the original article here.
Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon, a partner in Winston & Strawn’s New York office and a former U.S. ambassador to Uruguay, will be chief of staff for incoming first lady Dr. Jill Biden, President-elect Joe Biden’s office announced.
Reynoso’s practice at Winston & Strawn focuses on complex commercial litigation, regulatory enforcement, and international arbitration, according to the firm’s website. Reynoso did not immediately return requests for comment.
Reynoso is the latest attorney with Big Law ties to be tapped by the incoming Biden administration.
Ron Klain, a longtime adviser to Biden who will become his chief of staff, was formerly a partner in O’Melveny & Myers’ Washington, D.C. office.
Dana Remus, general counsel of the Biden campaign and former general counsel of the Obama Foundation, will become White House Counsel. She was previously a law professor at the University of North Carolina and an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, and she clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.
Doug Emhoff, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’s husband, will step down as partner at DLA Piper for a yet-to-be-determined role in the White House.
Reynoso also served as deputy assistant secretary of state for the western hemisphere in the Obama administration, on the faculty of Columbia Law School and as co-chair of New York Attorney General Letitia James’ transition committee.
At Winston & Strawn, Reynoso has represented numerous Latin American clients in commercial disputes, North American Free Trade Act claims, and World Bank sanctions settlements, among other matters.
“Julissa’s appointment continues a long-standing tradition of Winston partners accepting leading roles in public service,” a Winston & Strawn spokesperson said in a statement. “We’re proud of the outstanding work she has done on behalf of our clients and wish her great success in her new role.”
Numerous Big Law partners are also volunteering on Biden agency review teams, which are responsible for preparing the incoming administration for a smooth transition to power. The Department of Justice review team includes attorneys from Linklaters, Latham & Watkins, Jones Day, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, Davis Polk & Wardwell, and Cooley.
