ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT WELCOMES TWO ADDITIONAL NOMINEES FOR SENIOR JUSTICE DEPARTMENT POSTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Attorney General John Ashcroft today welcomed two additional nominees by President George W. Bush for senior positions at the Department of Justice—Charles A. James for Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division and Daniel J. Bryant for Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Legislative Affairs.

"The Department is so fortunate that these two exceptional individuals, who have had outstanding public service careers, will return to the Department of Justice," said Attorney General John Ashcroft.

James, 46, is a partner with the Cleveland-based law firm of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue. Currently, he is with the firm's Washington, D.C. office where he chairs the firm's Antitrust & Trade Regulation Practice. His practice concentrates on the antitrust aspects of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, particularly in the telecommunications, health, information technology and financial services industries. He has been with Jones Day from 1985 to 1991 and rejoined the firm in 1993, after serving as Acting Assistant Attorney General (1993) and Deputy Assistant Attorney General (1991-1993) in the Justice Department's Antitrust Division.

As Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Policy and Legislation in the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, James oversaw all of the Division's policy planning, legislative, appellate, foreign trade and international antitrust policy activities.

From 1979-1985, James served in several positions at the Federal Trade Commission, including Assistant to the FTC Bureau of Competition Director (1983-1985).

He is a member of the Antitrust Council of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , and presently chairs the Antitrust Law Committee of the American Bar Association's Business Law Section.

James earned his law degree from the National Law Center, George Washington University in 1979, and in 1976, received his bachelor's degree from Weslyan University, Middletown, Connecticut.

"Charles has an enormous amount of experience in the antitrust field, as well as an impressive background in government service," said Ashcroft. "His previous leadership experience in the Antitrust Division and his extensive expertise in antitrust law make him the perfect choice to guide the Division in today's global economy."

Bryant, 35, is the Chief Counsel of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime where he is responsible for organizing oversight and legislative hearings. He has been with the Committee since 1995. He was the chief advisor to the Chair of the Full Committee and Subcommittee on Crime.

Previously, he was the Policy Director at the First Freedom Coalition where he was responsible for policy development and communications regarding crime and justice issues.

In 1992, Bryant worked on domestic and international organized crime issues for the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Government Affairs Committee of the U.S. Senate.

Bryant was with the Department of Justice from 1987 to 1992 where he worked in two different Divisions in the Department--the Criminal Division and the Office of General Counsel. He also served as a special assistant in the Office of Justice Programs' Office of Juvenile Justice.

Bryant earned his law and bachelor's degrees from The American University, and a master's degree from Oxford University in England.

"Dan's legislative experience in both the U.S. Senate and House will serve the Department well as we forge ahead in advancing the important law enforcement responsibilities of the Justice Department."