Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr.

Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr.
Name	Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr.
Office	White House Counsel
President	Ronald Reagan
Term start	1987
Term end	1989
Predecessor	Peter J. Wallison
Successor	C. Boyden Gray
Birth date	26 May 1948
Birth place	Athens, Tennessee, U.S.
Party	Republican
Spouse	Andrea Barth
Education	University of Tennessee (BS)
Alma mater	New York University School of Law (JD)

Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. is an American attorney and government official who served as White House Counsel to President Ronald Reagan from 1987 to 1989. A longtime partner at the international law firm O'Melveny & Myers, he is renowned for his expertise in corporate governance, crisis management, and high-stakes political vetting. Culvahouse has played a significant role in multiple Republican presidential transitions, most notably leading the vice presidential selection process for Senator John McCain in 2008 and conducting the formal vetting of then-Governor Mike Pence for Donald Trump in 2016.

Early life and education

Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. was born in Athens, Tennessee, and raised in the nearby community of Niota, Tennessee. He demonstrated early academic promise, graduating as valedictorian from McMinn County High School. He pursued higher education at the University of Tennessee, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Culvahouse then attended the New York University School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree and serving as an editor for the New York University Law Review.

Legal and government career

Following law school, Culvahouse began his legal career as an associate at the prestigious Washington, D.C., law firm Covington & Burling. His early government service included a stint as Legislative Assistant and Counsel to Senator Howard Baker of Tennessee, a pivotal figure in the Senate leadership. This role provided him with deep experience in the legislative process and connections within the Republican establishment. He later served as Minority Counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence during a period of significant oversight of agencies like the CIA and NSA.

White House Counsel (1987–1989)

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan appointed Culvahouse to succeed Peter J. Wallison as White House Counsel. He served for the final two years of the Reagan administration, navigating a complex legal and political landscape that included the aftermath of the Iran–Contra affair. His tenure involved managing congressional investigations, advising on judicial nominations to bodies like the Supreme Court of the United States, and handling sensitive executive privilege matters. Culvahouse was widely regarded as a steady, discreet legal advisor during a challenging period for the Executive Office.

Later career and private practice

After the Reagan administration, Culvahouse returned to private practice, joining the global firm O'Melveny & Myers as a partner in their Washington, D.C., office. He chaired the firm's national Government Relations practice for many years, representing major corporations and financial institutions before Congress and federal agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission. His practice focused on complex regulatory issues, congressional investigations, and corporate crisis management, establishing him as a leading figure in the intersection of law, business, and government.

Political roles and vetting

Culvahouse has remained a trusted figure in Republican presidential politics, primarily through his role in vetting vice presidential candidates. In 2008, he was personally selected by Senator John McCain to lead the exhaustive search and vetting process that resulted in the selection of Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. Eight years later, he was again tapped to conduct the formal vetting of Governor Mike Pence of Indiana for the Trump campaign. His thorough, confidential vetting reports are considered the gold standard in modern political selection processes.

Personal life

Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. is married to Andrea Barth, and the couple has two children. He maintains strong ties to his home state of Tennessee and his alma maters, serving on the board of the University of Tennessee Foundation. A dedicated alumnus, he has also been involved with the New York University School of Law. Despite his high-profile Washington career, he is known within legal and political circles for his discretion, humility, and deep commitment to professional integrity.

Category:1948 births Category:Living people Category:American lawyers Category:White House Counsels Category:People from McMinn County, Tennessee Category:University of Tennessee alumni Category:New York University School of Law alumni Category:Republican Party (United States) officials