Perkins Coie has hired former US Department of Justice lawyer Michael Huston to co-chair its appeals, issues and strategy practice.

Huston joins as a partner in Washington DC, bringing with him more than a decade of appellate and litigation experience in government and private practice. In his previous role as assistant to the Solicitor General, Huston argued nine cases before the Supreme Court and drafted briefs in hundreds more, securing victories in dozens of successful amicus, merits and emergency-docket briefs. He also advised the Solicitor General, government agencies and DOJ lawyers on litigation strategy. At Perkins Coie he will focus on advising Fortune 500 companies on litigation and appellate issues and crafting and managing litigation strategies across the firm’s commercial litigation practice.

Eric Wolff, co-chair of Perkins Coie’s appeals, issues and strategy practice, said: “Michael’s broad and diverse experience with the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice and complex litigation will be highly valuable to our clients and litigation teams.”

Huston spent five years at the DOJ following a three-year spell at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. He also spent a year as law clerk to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and a year as law clerk to Judge Raymond Kethledge of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Valerie Dahiya, managing partner of Perkins Coie’s Washington office, said: “Our Washington DC lawyers frequently work at the intersection of technology and regulation, and Michael’s strategic addition and Supreme Court background will expand our already formidable capabilities.”

Earlier this month, Willkie Farr & Gallagher rehired high-profile US bankruptcy judge Shelley Chapman to lead its alternative dispute resolution practice in New York. Her second stint at Willkie followed a 12-year career as bankruptcy judge for the Southern District of New York. Chapman rejoined Willkie as senior counsel.

Meantime in June, WilmerHale hired former US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara. The former federal prosecutor joined the firm in New York, where his practice is focused on internal investigations, government matters, congressional investigations, compliance and risk assessments, crisis management and pro bono cases.