White House adviser joins Ford as counsel and senior vice-president

Ford Motor Company has raided the White House to secure a new general counsel to take over from incumbent Dennis Ross.

As first revealed on www.thelawyer.com (29 March), David Leitch, who served most recently as the deputy assistant to George W Bush and as the White House's deputy counsel, joined Ford on 1 April as the motoring giant's new general counsel and senior vice-president.

He takes over from Ross, who is due to retire on 1 June after 10 years with the company. Until then, Ross will continue to report to Ford's chairman and chief executive officer Bill Ford. After his retirement, Ross will continue to work for the company as a consultant, with a primary focus on tax issues.

During Leitch's recent role at the White House, he advised the US government on a number of legal issues, including those involving the War on Terror, judicial nominations, legislative proposals and ethics.

Leitch's career in law included a spell as a partner at Washington DC-based firm Hogan & Hartson.