In the latest reshuffling of legal talent within the Washington D.C. corridors of power, former Akin Gump counsel Stanley Woodward has announced the dissolution of the law firm he co-founded, as he steps into a significant White House role. The decision to close the doors of Brand Woodward, a practice established in 2020 with fellow Akin Gump alumni Stan Brand, reflects Woodward’s new responsibilities as an assistant to the president and senior counselor.
This career shift comes as Woodward aligns his efforts with Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff. The firm closure was formally detailed in a court filing, wherein Woodward announced his resignation from his representation of two defendants implicated in the notorious events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol.
Donald Trump, having recently assumed office, declared the hiring of Woodward on January 4, underscoring the strategic alignment of his legal team as his new administration assumes governance responsibilities.
With Brand Woodward’s closure, the D.C. legal landscape witnesses another adjustment, reflecting the broader implications and shifts at play within political and professional networks. For industry insiders, these developments serve as yet another reminder of the dynamic nature of legal practice intertwined with national governance.