New Gig for Former D.C. Attorney General

Linda Singer, who lasted a year as Mayor Fenty's first D.C. attorney general before leaving in frustration in December, has landed a job with Zuckerman Spaeder LLP, where she will be co-chair of a new division called the Public Client Practice. According to a news release from the firm, Singer's division will assist state attorneys general and other government clients on a "range of issues, including complex civil litigation, consumer protection, food and drug matters, charitable trust enforcement, civil rights, insurance, antitrust, tax and other enforcement priorities."

Singer, as city hall watchers may recall, left after feeling bigfooted by Fenty's general counsel, Peter Nickles, according to government sources. Nickles subsequently was named her replacement, on an interim basis, but he continues to serve. Under city law, his interim status will expire in six months, which is at the end of this month, but neither Nickles nor Fenty has said whether he will be nominated for the full time position. If he is, Nickles, who has owned a home in Great Falls for more than three decades, must live in the District and he has said he would comply with that requirement. More difficult could be his confirmation bid before the D.C. Council; several members have said that the city's attorney general must be independent of the mayor and Nickles is a long-time family friend of Fenty's.

As for Singer, he new boss, firm chairman Graeme W. Bush, said in a statement: "Her experience as D.C. attorney general is instrumental to the creation of this high-level, dedicated practice group which reflects Zuckerman Spaeder's distinctive commitment and considerable experience in litigating important matters for both public and private clients."