Foley Hoag has announced that Hampton Dellinger, the former United States Special Counsel, has joined their Washington, D.C. office as a partner in the Litigation Department. Known for a distinguished career in both government service and private practice, Dellinger will advise clients on trial, appellate, investigations, and regulatory matters, leveraging extensive experience at the highest levels of public service.
As U.S. Special Counsel, Dellinger led the independent federal agency dedicated to upholding integrity across the 2.2-million-member federal workforce. His leadership focused on deterring government misconduct, protecting whistleblowers, and enforcing essential protections like the Hatch Act, which regulates political activity among federal employees. Prior to this role, Dellinger served as Assistant Attorney General for Legal Policy at the Department of Justice, where he directed the vetting process for approximately 150 federal judges, including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. He previously held statewide legal positions in North Carolina, such as Deputy Attorney General.
Dellinger’s expertise spans multiple industries, including energy, healthcare, life sciences, education, and high technology. His practice encompasses regulatory compliance, State Attorney General investigations, risk management for business transactions, and antitrust litigation. In addition, Dellinger is committed to pro bono work, having represented women’s soccer players in a case against FIFA related to the 2015 World Cup, which contributed to key gender equity reforms. He has also championed efforts to relocate confederate monuments and advocated for voting rights in rural communities.
Dellinger’s arrival at Foley Hoag comes as the firm continues to strengthen its national presence, following the addition of former White House counsel Greg Craig, life sciences attorney Jay G. Reilly, and senior Health and Human Services attorney Caroline Farrell. Dellinger holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Yale Law School.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are excited to welcome Hampton to Foley Hoag. His experience at the highest levels of government will give our clients an invaluable resource for their most important and complex disputes.”
Managing Partner Jim Bucking
“I’m happy to be returning to private practice and honored to be joining Foley Hoag. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to grow the firm’s litigation and investigations practices.”
Hampton Dellinger
