Description
The office files of Leonard Garment reflect his responsibilities as a Special Consultant to the President concerned with domestic
issues in the areas of civil and human rights, Native American affairs, plans for the American Revolution Bicentennial celebration,
cultural affairs (including both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities), and voluntary
action. In addition, this file series contains documents related to Garment’s role as Acting Counsel to the President during
the Watergate crisis following John W. Dean III’s resignation in April 1973.
Background
May 11, 1924 - Leonard Garment born in Brooklyn, New York.
1942-1949 - Attended Brooklyn College and Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York; also performed as a clarinetist in various
jazz bands, including Woody Herman's, during this period.
1949 - Joined the law firm of Mudge, Stern, Baldwin, and Todd.
1957 - Became partner and served as head of the Litigation Department. Met Richard M. Nixon in 1963 when he joined the law
firm, thereafter known as Nixon, Mudge, Rose, Guthrie & Alexander.
1966-1967 - Became involved in Richard M. Nixon's Presidential campaign.
1968 - Returned to law firm after Nixon's election; became its Washington, D.C. representative.
May 28, 1969 - Joined the White House staff as a special consultant to the President. Assisted the President on a variety
of special projects, with special emphasis in the areas of civil and human rights, Indian affairs, voluntary action and the
arts.
May 10, 1973 - Designated Acting Counsel to the President following John W. Dean III's resignation.
January 4, 1973 - Resigned as Acting Counsel and appointed as Assistant to the President.
June 1974 - Departed White House staff.
Restrictions
Most government records are in the public domain; however, this series includes commercial materials, such as newspaper clippings,
that may be subject to copyright restrictions. Researchers should contact the copyright holder for information.