Lawyers serve in critical positions across the federal government. But lawyers play a special role at the Department of Justice, which is foremost charged with enforcing the laws on behalf of the President and representing the government in court. Naturally, it is lawyers who assume leadership roles at the Department.

This can present a challenge. After all, there is no West Point for lawyers. They do not teach leadership in law school, or at least they did not when I attended. And, as many who have worked in a law firm can attest, lawyers are not necessarily born leaders. Fortunately, however, the Department of Justice has been blessed at all levels with many effective, and even some great, leaders.