Ivan K. Fong to Be Nominated as Homeland Security General Counsel

President Obama announced today his intention to nominate Ivan K. Fong as General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Secretary Janet Napolitano also announced several key members of her staff: David A. Martin, Principal Deputy General Counsel; Brian De Vallance, Senior Counselor to the Secretary; and Sean Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.

“This senior team comes from distinguished and diverse backgrounds,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Ivan’s extensive private sector and senior government experience will provide invaluable counsel in managing the complex issues and important tasks we take on daily, and I look forward to the enthusiasm and expertise this accomplished team brings to the important missions of this department.”

Ivan K. Fong, General Counsel
Ivan K. Fong is currently the Chief Legal Officer & Secretary for Cardinal Health, Inc., and served previously as Deputy Associate Attorney General for the Department of Justice, playing a key role in directing the federal government’s role in civil litigation and enforcement matters. During his tenure, Fong was the primary author and editor of “The Electronic Frontier: The Challenge of Unlawful Conduct Involving the Use of the Internet,” a groundbreaking report on cybercrime policy.

He holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Juris Doctor from Stanford University and was a Fulbright Scholar at Oxford University, Magdalen College.

David A. Martin, Principal Deputy General Counsel
Former member of President Obama’s DHS agency review and transition team, Warner-Booker Distinguished Professor of International Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, and former General Counsel for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice.

Brian de Vallance, Senior Counselor to the Secretary
Former Director of Federal Relations for Governor Napolitano and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Federalism Officer for the U.S. Department of Justice.

Sean Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
Has served in a variety of senior communications positions on campaigns and in the private sector. Most recently, he was the Pennsylvania Communications Director on the Obama campaign. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.