Citizen Chertoff

by Clerquette

Having stepped into the Manolos of A3G relatively recently, Clerquette is, admittedly, somewhat behind the news cycle.  Nonetheless, it is never too late for an update on a doubly delectable superstar -- in this case, past UTR favorite Michael Chertoff, who, we learned recently, has officially moved on to the next phase of his illustrious career. 

If you've forgotten the multi-faceted nature of the Honorable Mike Chertoff's fabulosity, allow Clerquette to refresh your recollection.  First, Chertoff is a member of The Elect: after graduating from Harvard College (magna cum laude, '75) and Harvard Law School (magna cum laude, '78), and clerking for distinguished SDNY Judge Murray Gurfein, Chertoff spent OT '79 at the elbow of Justice William J.  Brennan, Jr.  After a brief stopover at Latham & Watkins, Chertoff returned to the Southern District as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, where he passedmuch of the 1980s making his boss, Rudolph Giuliani, look good.  Chertoff  eventually returned to his ancestral home (New Jersey), where he served as First Assistant U.S Attorney, and then "full-frontal" U.S. Attorney from  1990-1994.  

Whew!  Clerquette is getting winded.  Let's fast forward past a few dozen notable achievements (with apologies to our illustrious subject) to 2003, when Chertoff ascended to the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Alas, Chertoff's time on the bench was brief ... but what it lacked in longevity, it made up for in judicial flair.  During his fleeting tenure, we learned that Judge Chertoff was an avid runner and weightlifter, an impeccable dresser, and inclined (or -gasp! -forced???) to fetch his own lunch.  We realize that this latter, scandalous detail was unearthed five-plus years ago. Clerquette believes, however, that there is no statute of limitations on shaming law clerks who fail to carry the judicial take-out bag. In any event, Judge Chertoff was alluring enough to inspire his very own trivia quiz, known as the "Chertoff Challenge."  As A3G concluded back in the day, "Judge Chertoff may be a fairly private person, but he can't hide the fact that he is a fun and fascinating individual 'underneath his robe.'"  Clerquette joins the majority's opinion!

Recently, now-citizen (but still Honorable) Chertoff announced the formation of The Chertoff Group, which will "advise corporate and government clients on security and risk management issues."  (FYI: Chertoff has also signed on at Covington & Burling, where he will be Senior Of Counsel.)  The Chertoff Group is sure to be a powerhouse: in addition to its marquee member, the firm recently added such luminaries as General Michael Hayden (of CIA and NSA fame), and former DHS-ers Admiral Jay Cohen, Charles Allen, and Paul Schneider.  But let's not kid ourselves, dear readers: the firepower on this gunboat will be provided by the only principal whose qualifications include "Anointed One" -- Chertoff himself.  And, although the WSJ noted last week that Chertoff would be "going head to head in the business world with former bosses John Ashcroft and Rudolph Giuliani," Clerquette is quite certain that the former judicial superstar can overrule the competition sua sponte.

Chertoff will be holding court in his current hometown, Washington, D.C.  Although Clerquette is always hoping for news of judicial sight-ations, she will make an exception, in this instance, for a former-judicial sight-ation.  If you've seen Judge/Secretary/Citizen Chertoff, drop us a line and let us know what he's up to.  

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