As the University of Illinois newspaper reported earlier this week, law professor Richard Painter, who's a prominent authority on legal ethics as well as a valued contributor to this website, will be leaving the University to join the White House in the capacity of chief ethics lawyer. John Steele at Legal Ethics Forum hails Prof. Painter's appointment as "Great news for all of us," adding that "Painter has been fearless and insistent when he's identified important ethics issues. ... I think Painter is the real deal and I hope he's allowed to have a major impact at the White House." Readers of this site will remember his colloquy with Lester Brickman last August on contingency-fee reform.