We are saddened by the news of the passing of William H. Webster on August 8. Judge Webster was a former Milbank LLP partner and federal judge, and the only person to lead both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency. He was 101.
Judge Webster joined Milbank in 1991 following his retirement from public service. He served as chair of the firm’s Litigation Group, focusing on arbitration, mediation and internal investigations.
Born in 1924, Judge Webster was a lieutenant on a naval vessel in World War II. He then earned his J.D. from Washington University School of Law in 1949 before returning to service in the Korean War from 1950 to 52.
Judge Webster’s illustrious career began in 1970 when he was appointed by President Richard Nixon as a Federal District Court judge. He was elevated in 1973 to the Federal Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. President Jimmy Carter nominated Judge Webster as director of the FBI in 1978, and in 1987, President Ronald Reagan named him chief of the CIA.
“Bill’s distinguished career has exemplified his commitment to serving our nation and to defending and promoting the values of America and the free world,” President Reagan said. “Bill is well known as a man of honor and integrity, as a man who is committed to the rule of law, and as a professional who is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence.”
Judge Webster’s obituary is available in The New York Times (subscription may be required).
Judge Webster’s contributions to Milbank were tremendous, and his dedication to our nation extraordinary. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family.