W. Neil Eggleston, a white-collar defender in Kirkland & Ellis’ Washington office, is the leading contender to replace White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler when she steps down, according to five Washington attorneys following the selection process who spoke on background about an administration personnel decision.
The lawyers familiar with the selection process stressed that nothing is certain until the president announces his selection. Two other prominent lawyers have been talked about as contenders for the post, they said: Thomas Perrelli, a partner at Jenner & Block, and Ronald Klain, a former chief of staff for vice presidents Joseph Biden and Al Gore.
