WASHINGTON — Hudson Institute announced today that former United States Attorney General William P. Barr joined the Institute as a distinguished fellow. Barr will focus on several policy areas, including violent crime, transnational criminal and drug organizations, international terrorism, separation of powers, and other constitutional principles.
“From his early career at the CIA, to advising multiple presidents, and leading the Department of Justice twice, Attorney General Bill Barr has been a patriot and an outstanding public servant,” Hudson President and CEO John Walters said. “At this crucial time for our country, he will bring his courage, his wisdom, and his extensive experience to our work at Hudson.”
Before serving as the 85th attorney general in the Trump administration, Barr was the deputy attorney general and assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel under President George H.W. Bush. He also served as the 77th attorney general from 1991 to 1993, making him one of only two people to serve twice as attorney general.
At the Department of Justice, Barr created programs to reduce violent crime, and he established new policies for financial institutions, civil rights, and mergers. He led the Department’s response to the savings and loan crisis and oversaw the Pan Am 103 bombing investigation. Barr directed the successful response to the Talladega prison uprising and hostage-taking, and he coordinated counterterrorism activities during the First Gulf War.
Before joining the George H.W. Bush administration, Barr was a law clerk under Judge Malcolm Wilkey of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He then joined the law firm of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge as an associate. In 1982, Barr left the firm to work on the domestic policy staff under President Ronald Reagan and returned to the law firm as a partner in 1985.
Barr served as executive vice president and general counsel for GTE Corporation, where he led the legal, regulatory, and government affairs activities. He served in the same role for Verizon until 2008 and was then counsel at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
Barr received his A.B. in government from Columbia University in 1971 and his M.A. in government and Chinese studies in 1973. From 1973 to 1977, he served in the Central Intelligence Agency before receiving his J.D. with highest honors from George Washington University Law School in 1977.
For additional information, please contact Hudson Institute press@hudson.org or 202-974-2400.