Former White House Counsel Joins Latham’s Chicago and Washington, D.C. Offices

Latham & Watkins LLP is pleased to announce that Ed Siskel has joined the firm’s Chicago and Washington, D.C. offices as a partner in the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice and as a member of the Litigation & Trial Department. Siskel most recently served as White House Counsel for President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. His career includes notable leadership roles in the US Department of Justice (DOJ), US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, the City of Chicago, at private equity firm Grosvenor Holdings, and in private practice. Siskel’s practice will focus on white collar defense, risk and crisis management, government and internal investigations, corporate governance regulatory compliance, and complex litigation.

“Ed brings a rare combination of high-level White House, DOJ, and private sector experience to Latham,” said Rich Trobman, Chair and Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins. “His proficiency in multifaceted legal issues has been honed by serving as a legal advisor to two US presidents. Ed’s proven ability to see around corners and manage high-stakes matters at the intersection of law, policy, and business strategy will be a tremendous asset to our team and clients alike. We are excited to welcome Ed to Latham.”

As White House Counsel for President Biden, Siskel served as the president’s chief legal advisor, leading the White House’s in-house legal team while advising on a wide range of critical matters, including legislative initiatives, executive actions, and regulatory compliance. He previously served as Deputy White House Counsel for President Obama, where he advised on complex legal challenges and significant policy initiatives. Siskel also previously served as an Associate Deputy Attorney General, where he guided DOJ leadership on critical issues and contributed to national legal strategies.

“Ed’s deep Chicago roots, national profile, and high-caliber talent make him a phenomenal addition to Latham — we’re thrilled to have him join us in Chicago,” said Mary Rose Alexander, Managing Partner of the firm’s Chicago office. “Ed comes with strong ties to our city’s business, civic, and legal community, having worked as a prosecutor, mayoral advisor, and in the private sector. His experience managing sensitive matters at the highest levels of government and business will be invaluable to our clients facing bet-the-company challenges, particularly those involving regulatory compliance and litigation.”

In Chicago, Siskel served as an Assistant US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, where he prosecuted a wide array of federal criminal cases and was responsible for investigating and litigating complex matters, including financial fraud, public corruption, and organized crime. He also served as Corporation Counsel to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, managing the city’s legal affairs and addressing critical municipal issues. Prior to his appointment as White House Counsel for President Biden, Siskel was the Chief Legal Officer of Chicago-based private equity firm Grosvenor Holdings.

Latham’s Chicago office boasts a number of former senior government leaders, and Siskel’s addition follows that of partner Gary Feinerman, who previously served as a district judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and Solicitor General of Illinois.

“Ed brings unparalleled insight from his experience as White House Counsel. He strengthens our position as the go-to firm for sophisticated white collar defense and investigations matters,” said Kevin Chambers, Global Co-Chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. “Throughout his distinguished career, Ed has shown an unwavering commitment to excellence and an exceptional capacity for leadership,” remarked Marc Berger, Global Co-Chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. “Clients will greatly value Ed’s ability to skillfully counsel boards and executives on crisis and proactive risk management,” added Terra Reynolds, Global Vice Chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice.

“Latham stands out as the premier global platform, with an esteemed white collar team that has always impressed me,” said Siskel. “The firm’s renowned client service, seamless integration across offices, and collaborative culture align perfectly with my approach to serving clients. No other firm provides such an ideal foundation for me to embark on this next chapter in my career. I look forward to drawing on my experience and the Latham platform to help clients navigate their most pressing challenges."

Siskel is the latest high-profile former government official to join Latham’s preeminent White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, after the recent arrivals of Marc Berger, former Acting Director and Deputy Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement and now Co-Chair of Latham’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, and Paul Rosen, former Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Treasury for Investment Security.

Siskel received his JD from the University of Chicago Law School and his BA from Wesleyan University. He clerked for Judge Dorothy Wright Nelson of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and US Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.