Leezie Kim, former White House appointed deputy general counsel in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is rejoining the Phoenix office of national law firm Quarles & Brady LLP. She will be continuing her corporate transactions practice counseling clients on the laws at the intersection of international business transactions and national security; on compliance with government regulations affecting business transactions in the healthcare industry; on the laws affecting the restaurant industry; and on how to utilize and manage immigration benefits and enforcement matters affecting businesses.
“We are very pleased Leezie Kim is coming back to Arizona and Quarles & Brady,” said John Daniels, Chairman of Quarles & Brady. “Her multiple talents strengthen our growing corporate transactions practice, particularly the way business transactions and operations are affected by national security, federal regulation, and federal immigration concerns.”
Kim worked as a corporate attorney for Quarles & Brady’s Phoenix office for 12 years before leaving the Firm in 2007 to become General Counsel to then-Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. In 2009, she was then appointed to the position of Deputy General Counsel in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where she oversaw more than 1,800 lawyers around the world.
At Homeland Security, Kim worked on a wide range of issues including immigration benefits and enforcement policy, national disaster response, air transportation security and screening procedures, customs/international borders issues, intelligence matters and government investigations.
“I am glad to come home to Quarles & Brady – and use the unique experience from my time at the Governor’s office and Homeland Security to serve our clients,” Kim said. “In addition, I look forward to the opportunity to provide strategic planning assistance to continue growing our Firm’s presence and visibility.”
Kim’s arrival at Quarles & Brady continues the Firm’s expansion of its corporate services practice group. Over the past year, the Firm has added P. Robert Moya, former Vice President-General Counsel and Secretary of Apollo Group, Inc.; Leonardo Loo, who also specializes in China Law; and James Ullman, with more than 38 years of experience in franchise and licensing law.
Kim earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rice University and her law degree from the University of Virginia. She has been honored by The Best Lawyers in America and Southwest Super Lawyers and serves on the Board of Directors of the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation in Phoenix.
