[JURIST] US President George Bush announced Tuesday that Fred F. Fielding [official profile] will serve as the new White House counsel [statement text]. Fielding, who has advised Bush throughout his presidency and sat on the 9/11 Commission [official website], will replace Harriet Miers [official profile], who announced her resignation [JURIST report] last week. Bush praised Miers, saying "she has devoted herself to the rule of law and the cause of justice," and called Fielding "uniquely qualified" to replace her.

Fielding served as General Counsel to President Reagan from 1981-86 and deputy counsel under President Nixon from 1970-72, and is regarded by observers as having the political experience that Bush may need to face challenges to executive authority from the new Democratically-controlled Congress. Fielding, 67, leaves his position as a partner at Wiley, Rein and Fielding [partner profile] in Washington, DC. The New York Times has more.