After just under a year in the White House, James Schultz is returning to Cozen O'Connor to chair the firm's government and regulatory practice group.

Schultz, whose first full day back at the firm was Monday, said he had committed to returning to private practice in late 2017 when he agreed to take the position in President Donald Trump's administration late last year. As associate White House counsel and special assistant to the president, he worked on ethics and compliance issues, particularly with regard to staff and senior officials.

Schultz said he had never intended to take another federal government position just two years after rejoining Cozen O'Connor from the Pennsylvania Office of General Counsel. But “it's not a job you say no to,” he said of the White House role.

Ongoing investigations into ties between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia had no effect on Schultz's decision to leave the White House, he said, given that he had always planned to return to Cozen O'Connor after a year.

He said the investigation “really just serves as crowd noise and distracts from the policy agenda we're trying to advance as an administration.”

Schultz's work at the White House included matters related to ethics and compliance, congressional oversight, government contracting, procurement, trade, and transportation and infrastructure. He also assisted in selecting a judicial nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for Third Circuit, because of his knowledge of the region. Trump nominated University of Pennsylvania Law School professor Stephanos Bibas in June, and he was confirmed earlier this month.

Most of his work was focused on making sure White House staff and nominees followed financial disclosure and conflict of interest requirements, Schultz said, but that did not include the Trump family.

“In the beginning, there was a lot of attention given to the White House staff because they were so successful in the business arena,” Schultz said. “It's a more challenging job than when you have someone who's been a government employee their whole career.”

Back at Cozen O'Connor, where he will be based in both D.C. and Philadelphia, Schultz said he will likely expand his practice to include federal government issues. Transitioning back into the practice isn't much of a challenge because the firm maintained his client relationships during his absence, he said.

As for future government roles, he said he'll evaluate any future offers as they come.

Schultz said his practice works hand-in-hand with the lobbying group at Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies. That affiliate recently made a significant addition, bringing on five lobbyists from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, whose practice is among the top 10 in New York City.

“Having served in high-level positions in Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, I am thrilled that Jim will return to Cozen O'Connor to lead our government and regulatory practice,” Cozen O'Connor CEO Michael Heller said in a statement. “As we continue to expand our services in Washington, D.C., and across the country, Jim's experience and expertise will be invaluable to our clients.”