Derek Lyons | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Lyons in 2020 | |
| Counselor to the President | |
| In office May 20, 2020 – December 18, 2020 Serving with Hope Hicks | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Johnny DeStefano |
| Succeeded by | Steve Ricchetti Jeff Zients |
| White House Staff Secretary | |
| In office February 7, 2018 – December 18, 2020 Acting: February 7, 2018 – June 6, 2018 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Rob Porter |
| Succeeded by | Jessica Hertz |
| White House Deputy Staff Secretary | |
| In office January 20, 2017 – June 6, 2018 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Leader | Rob Porter |
| Preceded by | Jesse Gurman |
| Succeeded by | Catherine Bellah Keller |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | Duke University (BA,BS) Harvard University (JD) |
Derek S. Lyons is an American attorney and formerWhite House Staff Secretary andCounselor to the President in the first administration ofU.S. PresidentDonald Trump.
Lyons was a student ofStrake Jesuit College Preparatory,[1] from which he graduated in 2000. He went toDuke University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in 2004.[2]
In June 2007, Lyons was a student ofHarvard Law School and worked as a Summer Associate atGibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Lyons graduated with aJuris Doctor in 2008.[2][3]
In 2007 Lyons was admitted to theState Bar of Texas and the Bars ofthe District of Columbia andFederal Circuit in 2010.[4] He started his professional career as a law clerk toBrett Kavanaugh, a former judge serving on theUnited States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and currentAssociate Justice of theU.S. Supreme Court and a former White House Staff Secretary.[citation needed]
After his clerkship, he worked forRepresentativeJeb Hensarling as a legislative assistant. He then moved to the private sector, working as a senior litigation assistant for the law firmGibson, Dunn & Crutcher.[5] His practice was mainly related to federal regulatory policy.[6]
In May 2014, he went back toCapitol Hill, becomingGeneral Counsel in the office ofSenatorRob Portman.[7] In this role, he accompanied Senator Portman to meetings of theSubcommittee on Investigations for theHomeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.[8]
Lyons worked for theJeb Bush 2016 presidential campaign.[9] In February 2016, he joined the law firm Boyden Gray & Associates.[10]
From January 2017 to February 2018, Lyons worked at theWhite House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Staff Secretary.[11]
After the sudden departure ofRob Porter in February 2018, Lyons was promoted to acting White House Staff Secretary. In June he was formally appointed to the role on a permanent basis.[12][13] Lyons oversaw, together with theWhite House Chief of Staff, the flow of information to the President.[14]
In May 2020, Lyons was slated to serve as the Director of theUnited States Domestic Policy Council, but Lyons' appointment was derailed after influential "America First" conservatives voiced opposition due to his previous position with Jeb Bush's 2016 presidential bid and his consideration was withdrawn. Instead, he was promoted to the position ofCounselor to the President, alongsideHope Hicks andKellyanne Conway.[15]
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | White House Staff Secretary 2018–2020 | Succeeded by |
