Assistant United States Attorney Phil Lynch of Steilacoom, Washington has been appointed the top U.S. Department of Justice official in Iraq. Mr. Lynch begins his detail next month, as Rule of Law Coordinator in Baghdad. Mr. Lynch will provide oversight and leadership to the federal government’s entire legal complex in Iraq. Mr. Lynch will direct U.S. Department of Justice personnel in Iraq, working to help establish the Iraqi legal system.

“The Department of Justice could not have found a better person to lead this important office,” said United States Attorney Jeffrey C. Sullivan. “Phil Lynch is a gifted lawyer who has served the people of Western Washington for many years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and before that served his country with a distinguished military career in the U.S. Army.”

This will be Mr. Lynch’s second assignment in Iraq. In 2006, Mr. Lynch was detailed to Iraq to assist Iraqi attorneys with the trial of Saddam Hussein.

During his twelve year tenure with the United States Attorney’s Office, Mr. Lynch represented the federal government in a wide array of civil cases, concentrating primarily on matters involving allegations of medical malpractice.

Mr. Lynch joined the United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Washington in March, 1995 and was recognized by the Department of Justice in 1998 for superior performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Prior to joining the United States Attorney’s Office, Mr. Lynch was a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army serving in the Judge Advocate General Corps. Over a twenty-two year military career, Mr. Lynch served his country in a variety of ways. Following his graduation from West Point he served in Korea, earning two Armed Forces Expeditionary medals. Following law school, Mr. Lynch served in the JAG as both a defense attorney and a prosecutor. From 1982-84 he served as a prosecutor at Fort Lewis. Later in his career, Mr. Lynch served as Chief of the Army’s Medical Malpractice Branch supervising all attorneys and investigators handling claims against the U.S. Army. Just prior to retiring from the military, Mr. Lynch served as the Staff Judge Advocate for Madigan Army Medical Center near Tacoma.

Phil Lynch is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He has a masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma and graduated from University of San Francisco Law School.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.

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