U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling joins law firm
Former U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling, who cultivated a tough-on-crime image during his tenure as Massachusetts’ top federal prosecutor, ended his tenure Friday and now joins the global law firm Jones Day.
A spokeswoman for Lelling said in an email Friday: “While Andy is U.S. Attorney, I cannot comment or confirm his future plans.” Law360, citing a source familiar with the situation, said Lelling would be joining the firm, which is headquartered in Cleveland and has a Boston office.
Jones Day was the most prominent law firm representing former President Donald Trump in his unsuccessful attempt to overturn the results of the presidential election, which Joe Biden won.
In an interview with the Herald last month, Lelling said that after he begins a stint in the private sector, he will take a look at making the leap into elective politics, although he did not specify which office he was looking at.
“Yeah, I’ve thought about that,” he told the Herald. “I wouldn’t foreclose it. I think it is possible I could pursue something in politics.”
Lelling led the prosecution of gang leaders and drug dealers — as well as the wealthy in the “Varsity Blues” college cheating scandal — but jumping into politics would be his toughest assignment yet, especially as a former member of the Trump administration in Massachusetts.
“These days you really have to think twice before getting into elective politics,” he said last month.