Former AG Eric Holder returning to Covington & Burling law firm

WASHINGTON, July 6 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will return to work for the Covington & Burling law firm where he was a partner for eight years.

Holder was the head of the Department of Justice from 2009 until 2015, becoming the first African-American attorney general and the third longest-serving attorney general in U.S. history.

He will "focus on complex investigations and litigation matters, including matters that are international in scope and raise significant regulatory enforcement issues and substantial reputational concerns," according to Covington & Burling, where Holder was partner from 2001 to 2009.

Holder was replaced by Loretta Lynch, who was sworn in on April 27 by Vice President Joe Biden after Senate Republicans stalled her nomination for 167 days over abortion language in a human trafficking bill.

"It is a source of great pride to welcome Eric back to the firm after his distinguished service as attorney general," Timothy Hester, chair of the firm's management committee, said in a statement. "Eric's entire private practice career has been as a Covington partner, and we look forward to the role he will again play as a colleague, leader, client adviser and advocate."

Holder said returning to the firm is "like coming home."

"I couldn't be happier to rejoin the firm and to have the opportunity once again to work with its exceptional lawyers and staff, for whom I have such high regard," Holder said. "I am returning to Covington for the same reasons that drew me to the firm in the first place -- its commitment to excellence in the service of clients, a collaborative and team-oriented culture, and a dedication to pro bono and public service."