Lanny Davis starts his own firm

Lanny Davis is starting his own law and lobbying firm, which he announced Monday.

The former Clinton White House aide is leaving McDermott Will & Emery to start his own firm, called Lanny J. Davis & Associates. Davis plans to provide a number of services to his clients, including legal work, lobbying and media help, and will work with Republican operatives to offer bipartisan advice.

“In today's Washington, there is usually no clear ‘red’ solution or ‘blue’ solution — almost always, the best solution is a 'purple’ or bipartisan solution that draws on ideas from both sides of the aisle,” Davis said in a statement. “Similarly, there are often no purely legal solutions to legal problems either.”

This is the second big move for Davis in recent times. In October last year, he joined McDermott after leaving Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. Davis, however, plans to keep a close relationship with McDermott, advising its clients, but will be free to work with other law firms under this new arrangement.

Davis was special counsel to President Bill Clinton from 1996 to 1998 and also served on the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for President George W. Bush. During the 2008 presidential campaign, Davis was a big booster for then-Sen. Hillary Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) bid for the White House.

"Lanny Davis has a unique combination of extensive experience as a first-rate practicing attorney and expertise in dealing with the media, political leaders and the legislative process," President Clinton said in a statement provided to The Hill. "That's much needed in the age of the internet and get it first before getting it right journalism."

Davis is also a frequent media commentator and is a columnist for The Hill newspaper.

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