When considering the government's watchdogs — officially called inspectors general — U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General Glenn A. Fine does not walk on water, said someone who watches the watchdogs, but "he is pretty damn good."
During a year in which the Justice Department's reputation suffered one black eye after another — largely because of politicization of a number of its functions — Fine and the team he has assembled in the past eight years emerged as beacons of nonpartisanship and independence as they thoroughly investigated problem after problem and revealed where the department went off track. Fine's office also recommended steps to department leaders and Congress for restoring the department's position as the nation's pre-eminent law enforcement agency.
Fine is The National Law Journal's lawyer of the year for his work in ensuring the department's fulfillment of its motto: "who prosecutes on behalf of justice."
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RUNNER-UP
FDIC Chairwoman Sheila C. Bair
Sheila C. Bair's appointment as FDIC chairwoman was somewhat by happenstance after another candidate's nomination fizzled — but her bold policy efforts to aid both consumers and banks during the economic crisis have elevated her stature in Washington and across the country. She's our runner-up for this year's award.WEB-ONLY
Lawyers honored in years past
The National Law Journal's Lawyer of the Year award recipients since 1992.
