Gregory Craig, White House Counsel 2009-10, Speaking at Henry Lecture Series April 14

NORMAN – Gregory Craig, White House Counsel who advised President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2010, will be the featured speaker in the 2011 Henry Lecture Series, which is open to the public, at noon Thursday, April 14, in the Kerr Student Lounge on the first floor at the University College of Law, 300 Timberdell Road in Norman.

"Greg Craig is one of the leading trial lawyers in the entire country," said OU President David L. Boren.  “He is especially admired and respected for his defense of the individual rights and civil liberties of all Americans.”

Craig has served in a variety of senior positions in Washington, D.C.  In addition to serving President Obama, he was Assistant to the President and Special Counsel in the White House for President Clinton, leading the team that was assembled to defend against impeachment. Craig also has advised former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and the late Senator Edward Kennedy.

A Washington D.C.-based trial lawyer, Craig has represented such high-profile clients as John W. Hinckley, Jr., who was acquitted of the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan by reason of insanity, and, in 2010, Goldman Sachs. Craig earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard and his law degree from Yale Law School, where he met Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham.  He has taught trial practice at both Yale Law School and Harvard Law School.  He is currently a partner at the international law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

"I'm very excited about this particular lecture,” said Brad Henry, Governor of Oklahoma from 2003 to 2011.  “Greg Craig is one of the most respected attorneys in America. Given his background, he certainly will have some intriguing stories to tell, and this could be one of the most fascinating lectures yet,” Henry said.   

The Henry Lecture Series is an annual event initiated in 2000 to inspire and educate future generations of scholars, lawyers and public servants. Five attorneys in the Henry family graduated from the OU College of Law: the Honorable Lloyd H. Henry and his sons, the Honorable L. Wayne Henry and Oklahoma City University President Robert H. Henry, and the Honorable Charles T. Henry and his son, Brad Henry, Governor of Oklahoma from 2003 to 2011.

For additional information and for accommodations based on disability, call (405) 325- 4702.

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Media contact: Evie Klopp Holzer, (405) 831-0709