As with many other Democratic political appointees, last year's presidential election brought Brian Egan to an abrupt career crossroads.

“When the election came and I thought, 'Oh boy, I better figure out what I do next,' it was a little terrifying,” Egan said. “I ultimately thought private practice made the most sense for me because I wanted to do a broad range of things in my next job.”


Brian Egan


Courtesy photo

Steptoe & Johnson LLP announced this week that Egan, the top lawyer at the U.S. State Department during the last year of the Obama administration, has joined the firm as a partner. Egan served as legal adviser at State from early 2016, overseeing some 200 lawyers and 100 other staff. He left the government the day President Donald Trump took office.