White House Counsel Robert Bauer made just under $1 million last year as the head of the political law group at Perkins Coie, according to a financial disclosure form he filed this month.
Bauer reported $958,788 in salary and bonuses from the firm, where he was a partner in its Washington office. That's almost 20% above the firm's 2009 profits per equity partner of $802,111, as reported this month by The AmLaw Daily. He also reported $14,000 in speaking honoraria and a $7,500 fee from teaching at Yale University last spring.
Senior White House officials and many other administration appointees are required to fill out the disclosure form, which, besides income, covers investment assets, certain liabilities, and other financial information that could point to potential conflicts of interest. Filings a year ago from President Barack Obama’s initial staff drew attention because of the prevalence of millionaires working in the White House.
Bauer, who started at the White House in late December and succeeded Gregory Craig, reported household investment assets worth between $2.38 million and $5.55 million. Much of it is in money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and other stable investment vehicles, though he and his wife, Anita Dunn, also own mutual funds through Fidelity, ING, Legg Mason, and Vanguard. (Dunn is a partner in Squier Knapp Dunn Communications and was, until November, the White House communications director.)
Bauer is set to receive two more payouts from Perkins Coie. His capital account balance of $216,016 will be paid over a three-year period beginning in December, and his deferred retirement benefit of $214,373 will be paid in full by March 15, according to the filing.
In response to a question about sources of income, Bauer listed 28 clients. They include prominent Democrats — including Obama’s political organization and the Democratic National Committee — as well as corporate clients such as the cement company Holcim Ltd.
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