Washington, DC (February 15, 2001) -- Edward Mallett, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, issued the following statement in response to the selection of former United States Attorney Larry D. Thompson of Atlanta as Deputy Attorney General:

"Larry Thompson has earned a reputation for excellence as a United States Attorney, an Independent Counsel, and a criminal defense lawyer. We are confident that he will bring fairness, practical knowledge and his high professional ethics to the Department of Justice.

"While we opposed the confirmation of Attorney General Ashcroft based on his record, we are encouraged by his many recent expressions of his commitment to fairness for all Americans. We commend the attorney general and administration advisors on the appointment of Larry Thompson. We await with keen interest Attorney General Ashcroft''s statement of priorities and policies for his administration."

Mallett is a criminal defense lawyer in Houston. He can be reached at (713) 228-1521 or (713) 444-8146.

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NACDL Communications Department

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is the preeminent organization advancing the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL's many thousands of direct members in 28 countries – and 90 state, provincial and local affiliate organizations totaling up to 40,000 attorneys – include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, military defense counsel, law professors and judges committed to preserving fairness and promoting a rational and humane criminal legal system.