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Deputy AG nominee Ogden defends representing controversial clients

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Nominee for Deputy Attorney General David Ogden Thursday defended his representation of parties opposing anti-pornography and pre-abortion parental notification laws during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Ogden, who is presently in private practice at the law firm WilmerHale, has come under attack from conservative groups, including Focus on the Family and the American Family Association (AFA), for his representation of clients including Playboy, and his legal arguments against social issues such as prior parental notifications of abortions. Ogden is expected to be approved by the Judiciary Committee and then confirmed by the Senate. Ogden served as Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, under former president Bill Clinton. President Obama announced his appointment of Ogden to the position of Deputy Attorney General last month. Ogden's future boss, Attorney General Eric Holder was confirmed in a Senate vote on Monday. Holder is the first African-American to lead the Justice Department. Last month, Holder told the committee in confirmation hearings that he believes waterboarding constitutes torture. Then-President-elect Barack Obama officially announced his nomination of Holder in December. Holder served as Deputy US Attorney General during the Clinton administration. Republicans have criticized Holder for his role in the 2001 pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on February 05, 2009 (boomark / email).