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* From a press release…
Governor-elect Bruce Rauner announced today that Jason Barclay will join the administration as general counsel while Kathy Lydon will serve as its D.C. director.
“Jason and Kathy will both bring invaluable experience and expertise to the governor’s office,” Gov.-elect Rauner said. “Jason has a top flight legal and strategic mind and brings a deep understanding of how one the country’s most successful governor’s offices operated. Kathy already has relationships with our Congressional delegation and knows how to navigate the federal government as well as anyone in Illinois. Most importantly, both are committed to transforming Illinois and making it the most compassionate and competitive state in the nation.”
About Jason Barclay
Jason Barclay is currently a partner at the law firm Barnes & Thornburg where he focuses on some of the firm’s most challenging litigation cases and is widely regarded as one of Indiana’s top trial attorneys. Prior to joining the firm, Jason served as legal counsel in the office of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. In state government, Jason had a particularly sharp focus on public ethics, helping guide one of the nation’s most comprehensive and highly regarded integrity and compliance programs. He also played a key role in executing the legal strategies necessary to implement Governor Daniels’ agenda.
Jason earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his juris doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law. He and his wife, Sarah, are the proud parents of three children, Annie, Will and Beau.
About Kathy Lydon
Kathy Lydon most recently served as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Judy Biggert, a position she held for 14 years. As chief of staff, Kathy oversaw all aspects of Rep. Biggert’s office, including legislative and policy initiatives. Kathy has also served in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. State Department and for U.S. Senator Charles H. Percy.
Kathy graduated from Georgetown University and earned an M.B.A from the University of Chicago.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 5:10 pm
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What… IL doesn’t have any top-notch lawyers? Geesh!
Comment by Mama Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 5:24 pm
I assume Mr. Barclay is studying for the Illinois bar exam then..
Comment by Chump Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 5:26 pm
Kathy Lydon is a great selection. Not only does she know her way around DC, she knows every corner of Illinois. Plus, she’s smart and will give him good advice.
Comment by Jim Bray Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 5:42 pm
Mitch Daniels owes a big debt to Barnes & Thornburg’s Jason Barclay and his colleagues for all of their help in convincing federal prosecutors to sweep the rampant corruption in his administration under the rug. He might not have as much success in Illinois where you have federal prosecutors who actually prosecute public corruption if Rauner follows the path of some of his notorious predecessors. Check out Barclay’s handiwork in helping former Supt. of Education Tony Bennett escape prosecution after the state’s inspector general turned over a report to the U.S. Attorney’s Office that found over 100 instances of wire fraud related to the use of public employees and resources for political purposes.
Comment by Interested Observer Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 5:45 pm
I am with Chump-how can he be chief lawyer when he doesn’t have Illinois license???
Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 5:46 pm
Reciprocity:
Rule 705. Admission on Motion
A person who, as determined by the Board of Admissions to the Bar, has been licensed to practice in the highest court of law in any USA state, territory, or the District of Columbia for no fewer than 5 years may be eligible for admission on motion on the following conditions:
a. The applicant meets the educational requirements of Rule 703;
b. The applicant meets Illinois character and fitness requirements and has been certified by the Committee on Character and Fitness;
c. The applicant licensed to practice law for fewer than 15 years has passed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination in Illinois or in any jurisdiction in which it was administered.
I’m guessing that this guy passed the multistate….
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 6:01 pm
Kathy Lydon looks like a good hire. Anybody who goes back to Chuck Percy knows her way around.
I seriously doubt that Indiana’s integrity and compliance program is as formidable as Illinois’ program already is, and so Jason Barclay will have some catch up to do. Willing to let this one play out before judgment.
===”rampant corruption in his administration”=== comment above about Daniels, sounds like just so much campaign ad nonsense. We heard the same bs about Quinn — until election day.
My own contacts in Indiana report no such general problem with Daniels’ administration. They have their bad apples in Indiana, and cover ups too, but “rampant” is unfair.
Comment by walker Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 6:03 pm
Soccermom just beat me to it.
Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 6:08 pm
Agreed…. I’d bet that he’s qualified to practice in Illinois. It’s very common for attorneys to be able to practice in multiple states. Sad that people are casting aspersions with NO factual basis.
Comment by 4 percent Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 6:21 pm
He has an Illinois registration. Check ARDC:
“Active out of state lawyer permitted to practice pursuant to Rule 707 in Illinois proceedings, as documented in the record of each proceeding - Last Registered Year: 2014″
Comment by Interested Observer Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 6:23 pm
At least Quinn hired lawyers from the Harvard of Union Station - John Marshall Law!
Comment by TTT Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 6:58 pm
John Marshall is on Plymouth Court. Dont get the Union Station reference.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 7:15 pm
Hiring a General Counsel based on what he did in Indiana is like hiring a football coach based on what he did in Canada.
Different leagues.
Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 7:23 pm
I’ll take Jim’s word on the DC appointment. With respect to Jason Barclay, his connection to Daniels shouldn’t surprise. I find it disappointing, but not surprising. I would suggest that when Corrections engraves his nameplate, they also do a plaque for him that says, “This is ILLINOIS, not indiana [lack of capitalization intended].” If he is a quality attorney and remembers where he’s at, he may be of good service to the Gov.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 7:54 pm
And folks think Rauner is different from Scott Walker.
Rauner is Illinois’ Scott Walker.
Plain as day.
Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 8:02 pm
yep Macbeth said it
Comment by Anon3 Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 8:18 pm
=== Rauner is Illinois’ Scott Walker. ===
To the extent that’s true, many of us are A-OK with that.
Comment by Team America Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 8:56 pm
Kathy is a great choice. Best of luck. 1 good move
Comment by Black Chgo GOP Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 9:24 pm
He is already licensed to practice under Supreme Court Rule 707. Check out iardc.org.
Comment by Western Ave. Doug Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 9:37 pm
Wordslinger, maybe TTT meant to say the Harvard of LaSalle Street Station –the Metra train station for the South Side, just adjacent to Plymouth Court.
Comment by Joe Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 10:04 pm
- Western Ave. Doug - Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 9:37 pm:
“He is already licensed to practice under Supreme Court Rule 707. Check out iardc.org.”
Admission under Rule 707 allows an out of state lawyer limited ability to appear in no more than 5 proceedings. It does not confer full admittance to the Illinois bar.
A Governor’s general counsel doesn’t necessarily appear in specific proceedings. They provide general legal assistance and, if operating properly, have some oversight of each agency’s general counsel.
I don’t know this guy so I don’t plan to comment. But I find it odd that Rauner wouldn’t pull from the talent pool in Illinois. The best general counsels have had some knowledge of Illinois law and the operations of the state. I’m sure Barclay will be able to get up to speed, but it takes years to grasp the many, many complex legal issues facing the agencies under the Governor. Hopefully he will be open to suggestions from others and not take a big firm attitude.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 11:13 pm
I know nothing about Barclay, but it does seem odd to pick someone from out of state, especially with a freshman administration. He will have a lot of homework to do; you would think the Gov would want someone who already knows the ins and outs of Illinois law. The devil is always in the details, but this is especially true in law. Every state has its own funny little quirks.
I would want an old hand at Illinois law with plenty of experience in Springfield to help me avoid freshman mistakes that could have long-lasting consequences. We shall see…
The DC pick seems to be the exact opposite, experience-wise.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Dec 11, 14 @ 11:22 pm
Given our history here in Illinois is someone who
implemented Governor Daniels’ agenda and doesn’t
appear to have discouraged him from appointing himself chancellor of Purdue on his way out of executive office really a good way to start a
new administration?
Comment by Illinoisvoter Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:30 am
Kathy’s top-notch, demonstrates that Rauner wants to make the DC office what it once was, e.g. Bernie Robinson under the auspices of Ryan, not the passel of interns that Blago and Quinn had.
Comment by DuPage Expat Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 7:17 am
You don’t see many references to Chuck Percy these days.
Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 7:59 am