Sept. 23, 2009
Contact:
Renee DeGross Valdes, 404-413-1353
University Relations
ATLANTA - Georgia State University College of Law professor Neil Kinkopf, an expert on U.S. constitutional law and presidential powers, has joined the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy.
That office - which serves as the primary policy advisor to the U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder - develops and oversees implementation of Justice Department initiatives. Established in 1981, the Office of Legal Policy also advises the president and attorney general in the selection of Supreme Court justices as well as federal appellate and trial court judges.
"I'm excited to be back in Washington, D.C.," Kinkopf said. "It's a great opportunity to get involved in crafting practical responses to some of the great legal issues facing our nation."
Kinkopf's resume includes past stints with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he was a special assistant in the Office of Legal Counsel and attorney-advisor to Janet Reno. He also served briefly in the White House as a consultant in the Office of the Counsel to the President. He was also a member of the Clinton/Gore War Room in 1992, serving as a domestic policy specialist. Kinkopf also acted as Counsel to then-Sen. Joseph Biden during President Bill Clinton's 1999 impeachment trial.
"This is an incredible opportunity for Neil and we are thrilled to support him in this endeavor," said College of Law Dean Steven J. Kaminshine. "His appointment is quite an honor and an opportunity for the College of Law to have one of its own helping to set policy at the national level."
Kinkopf was also a law clerk to Jude Richard Suhrheinrich in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
He joined the College of Law in 1999. He is currently serving with the justice department on a leave of absence from the university.