Nov. 27, 2012

Daniel F. Attridge

Managing Partner of Kirkland & Ellis' Washington, D.C., Office to Lead Columbus School of Law

After an 18-month-long national search, The Catholic University of America has named Daniel F. Attridge of the Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP as dean of the Columbus School of Law. The managing partner of Kirkland's Washington, D.C., office since 1998 and a partner in the firm since 1985, Attridge is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer who has litigated cases before federal and state courts, administrative agencies, and arbitration panels throughout the United States.
Attridge's litigation experience spans a wide range of practice areas, including intellectual property, antitrust and unfair competition, commercial and government contracts, insurance coverage and discrimination, and corporate and securities.
"We are most fortunate to have recruited such an accomplished lawyer to be the dean of The Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law. The breadth and depth of Dan Attridge's experience are exceptional," said Catholic University President John Garvey.
"As a former law school dean, I know it is rare (and in these times, wise) to recruit a highly-experienced practitioner and a senior partner of one of America's most distinguished law firms to lead a law school. Our students and faculty will benefit immeasurably from Mr. Attridge's decades of experience, his prominence in the profession, and his impressive administrative skills," said Garvey.

As managing partner of Kirkland's Washington, D.C., office, Attridge oversees more than 225 lawyers and 200 staff. Some of his responsibilities have included budget, office operations, business development, client relations, and strategic planning.

"Dan has been an exemplary and key partner at our law firm for more than 25 years," said Jeffrey C. Hammes, Chairman of Kirkland's Global Management Executive Committee. "While we will miss his incredible service to our partnership, we congratulate Catholic University on finding such a highly-qualified individual to lead its law school in these challenging times for the profession."

Attridge received his B.A. magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and his J.D. cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 1979. From 1979 to 1980, he clerked for Judge Oliver Gasch of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The new dean has been recognized in litigation by C hambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business , The Best Lawyers in America , and SuperLawyers ; featured in The National Law Journal 's "Defense Hot List"; and rated "AV" - the highest level of professional excellence - by Martindale-Hubbell.

"While I will miss my colleagues at Kirkland, I am excited about this new phase of my professional career," Dan Attridge said. "In taking on this role, I will have the opportunity to serve a law school community at Catholic University that shares the core values of excellence, hard work, and teamwork that I have come to know so well at Kirkland. I am looking forward to working positively and collegially with everyone at Catholic University."

Attridge is expected to take over as dean of the law school next year.

Related News