ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL JACK GOLDSMITH TO STEP DOWN

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Attorney General John Ashcroft today announced the resignation of Jack L. Goldsmith III, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel. Goldsmith’s resignation is effective July 30, 2004; he intends to return to academia.

“I have been proud to serve this Nation in the critical work in which you and your Administration are engaged,” Goldsmith wrote in his formal resignation letter to President George W. Bush. Goldsmith reiterated that sentiment in his letter to Attorney General Ashcroft, writing, “Thank you for the opportunity to take part in that critical work.”

“Jack Goldsmith brought a brilliant legal mind, unwavering focus, and great loyalty to the job of providing me and the Department wise counsel,” said Ashcroft. “His contributions to the Department have served us - and the American people - well. I thank him for his service, and wish him well as he returns to private life.”

Prior to being nominated to his current post by President Bush in April 2003, Mr. Goldsmith served as Special Counsel to the General Counsel of the Department of Defense. At the time of his nomination, he had accepted a position at the University of Virginia Law School, and had been on leave from the University of Chicago Law School. He earned his first bachelor's degree from Washington & Lee University and a second bachelor's degree from Oxford University. Mr. Goldsmith received his master's degree also from Oxford University and his J.D. from Yale Law School. He went on to earn his Diploma in Private International Law from The Hague Academy of International Law.

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