Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) has chosen two lawyers from his personal staff to become the top staff members on the House Judiciary Committee when he is the chairman next year.
Shelley Husband, who has worked in Goodlatte's office since 1998 and been his congressional office chief of staff since 2002, will become the committee's chief of staff. And Branden Ritchie, who has been Goodlatte's legislative director and counsel since 2003, will become the committee's deputy chief of staff and chief counsel.
Ritchie previously worked as an attorney advisor at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he specialized in trademarks for the technology and telecommunications industries.
"Shelley and Branden are both trusted advisors and they have played a critical role in the operation of my personal office for many years," Goodlatte said in a written statement. "I know that all members of the committee will come to find out what I already know — their knowledge and expertise on the many important issues that fall within the jurisdiction of the committee make them perfectly suited to lead the Judiciary Committee in the new Congress."
Since being elected chairman for the next session of Congress, Goodlatte has said that the judiciary committee will "be at the forefront of many of the most significant issues of our day."
Additional senior staff positions will be announced in the coming days, Goodlatte's office said.
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