WilmerHale has announced that Brian Boynton, former head of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Division, will assume the role of Chair of the firm’s Regulatory and Government Affairs Department at the beginning of 2026. Boynton rejoined WilmerHale earlier this year after a four-year tenure at the DOJ, where he led a team of approximately 1,100 lawyers. His responsibilities included overseeing significant matters such as False Claims Act and consumer protection enforcement, Administrative Procedure Act challenges to agency regulations, government contracts litigation, environmental tort actions, and international trade litigation. ([wilmerhale.com](https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/news/20251008-wilmerhale-announces-brian-boynton-as-chair-of-regulatory-and-government-affairs-department?utm_source=openai))
Prior to his government service, Boynton was a partner at WilmerHale, focusing on complex government, regulatory, and commercial litigation and investigations. He has represented clients across various industries, handling cases involving anti-discrimination, higher education, fraud, antitrust, national security, environmental, and healthcare issues. ([wilmerhale.com](https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/news/20251008-wilmerhale-announces-brian-boynton-as-chair-of-regulatory-and-government-affairs-department?utm_source=openai))
Boynton will succeed Jamie Gorelick, who has led the department for 11 years. Gorelick, a former Deputy Attorney General of the United States and General Counsel of the Department of Defense, will continue at the firm, focusing on representing clients in regulatory and enforcement matters. ([wilmerhale.com](https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/news/20251008-wilmerhale-announces-brian-boynton-as-chair-of-regulatory-and-government-affairs-department?utm_source=openai))
Anjan Sahni, WilmerHale’s Managing Partner, expressed confidence in Boynton’s leadership, stating, “Brian embodies the best of WilmerHale, with his strong commitment to government service and the unique strategic insights and expertise he provides our clients.” ([wilmerhale.com](https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/news/20251008-wilmerhale-announces-brian-boynton-as-chair-of-regulatory-and-government-affairs-department?utm_source=openai))
Boynton’s appointment reflects a broader trend of law firms recruiting former government officials to bolster their regulatory and litigation practices. For instance, Nicole Argentieri, former head of the DOJ’s Criminal Division, joined Cravath, Swaine & Moore as a partner earlier this year. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/ex-doj-criminal-division-chief-argentieri-joins-law-firm-cravath-2025-02-24/?utm_source=openai))
WilmerHale has a history of integrating former government officials into its leadership. In February 2025, Lisa Brown, former General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Education, joined the firm as the head of its Higher Education Practice Group. ([wilmerhale.com](https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/news/20250218-lisa-brown-former-us-education-department-general-counsel-joins-wilmerhale-as-higher-education-practice-leader?utm_source=openai))
Boynton’s extensive experience in both public service and private practice positions him to lead WilmerHale’s Regulatory and Government Affairs Department effectively, continuing the firm’s tradition of providing strategic counsel to clients navigating complex regulatory environments.