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Merrick B. Garland

Partner

Merrick B. Garland brings a unique depth of experience to the practice of law.

As the 86th United States Attorney General from 2021 to 2025, Judge Garland oversaw the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) activities across the U.S. and in over 50 countries worldwide. During his tenure, Judge Garland set three co-equal priorities: upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting civil rights.

Previously, Judge Garland served as Judge and then Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (1997-2020), as well as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Judicial Conference of the U.S. (2017-2020).

Before his tenure as Attorney General and his appointment to the federal bench, Judge Garland had a distinguished career at DOJ. He held positions under five Attorney Generals appointed by both Democratic and Republican administrations, including Special Assistant to the Attorney General, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division, and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General. In these roles, he handled a broad array of criminal, civil, antitrust, and national security matters.

Earlier in his career, Judge Garland was a partner at Arnold & Porter, where he focused on civil and criminal litigation, antitrust, and administrative law, and taught antitrust at Harvard Law School.

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., Harvard Law School, magna cum laude
  • A.B., Harvard College, summa cum laude

Admissions

  • District of Columbia

Government & Military Service

  • United States Attorney General
  • Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit

Clerkships

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, The Honorable Henry J. Friendly
  • Supreme Court of the United States, The Honorable William J. Brennan
Overview