George Mitchell returns to DLA Piper after stint as Mideast envoy for Obama

President Obama’s former Middle East envoy has returned to his law and lobby firm.

Former Sen. George Mitchell (D-Maine) will be chairman emeritus of DLA Piper. Mitchell, 77, resigned from the envoy post in March. 

“Sen. Mitchell is known for being among the greatest public servants of our time, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to the firm,” said Francis Burch Jr., chairman of DLA Piper, in a statement. “He will be instrumental in driving the firm’s continued global integration and multidisciplinary approach to client service in each of our 76 offices.”

“The firm has achieved impressive international expansion in the two and a half years since I’ve left,” Mitchell said. “I am eager to return to work with the outstanding global lawyers at DLA Piper, and it will be rewarding to collaborate with them on future strategies and goals.”

Mitchell has had a long career in government. Having served as a U.S. attorney and U.S. district judge, he was a senator for Maine for close to 15 years, holding the Senate majority leader spot for six of those years. Mitchell was also involved in the Northern Ireland peace process, leading negotiations there.

Out of public service, Mitchell worked at DLA Piper from 2003 to 2008 before joining the Obama administration in 2009. He also was chairman of the Walt Disney Co. from 2004 to 2006.

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