Philip Perry: 5 Key Facts About Liz Cheney's Powerhouse Lawyer Husband and His Current Work

Philip Perry: 5 Key Facts About Liz Cheney's Powerhouse Lawyer Husband And His Current Work

Philip Perry: 5 Key Facts About Liz Cheney's Powerhouse Lawyer Husband and His Current Work

Philip Jonathan Perry is one of Washington D.C.'s most prominent and well-connected attorneys, known equally for his powerful legal career in high-stakes litigation and his marriage to former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney. As of late 2025, Perry continues to serve as a high-ranking litigation partner at the global law firm Latham & Watkins LLP, where his expertise in constitutional, appellate, and biotechnology law keeps him at the center of national legal debates. His current work, combined with his long history as a key political appointee during the George W. Bush administration, solidifies his status as a major behind-the-scenes player in the American political and legal landscape. His continued professional success and his unwavering support for his wife, Liz Cheney, especially following her leadership on the January 6th Committee and her ongoing campaign to prevent Donald Trump's return to the presidency, ensures that Philip Perry remains a figure of significant public interest. Perry’s background is a unique blend of elite private practice and top-tier government service, making him a true Washington insider whose influence spans both the courtroom and the political arena.

Philip Jonathan Perry: Complete Biography and Profile

Philip Jonathan Perry was born on October 16, 1964, and has built a formidable career that bridges the gap between federal government service and high-stakes private sector law. His professional journey is marked by a series of influential roles that have given him deep insight into the workings of the U.S. legal and political systems.

  • Full Name: Philip Jonathan Perry
  • Date of Birth: October 16, 1964
  • Place of Birth: San Diego County, California
  • Spouse: Elizabeth Lynne "Liz" Cheney (married 1993)
  • Children: 5 (including daughters Kate Perry and Elizabeth Perry, and sons Richard Perry and Philip Perry)
  • Father-in-Law: Former Vice President Dick Cheney
  • Education:
    • Undergraduate: B.A. in English from Colorado College (1986)
    • Law School: J.D. from Cornell Law School (1990)
  • Bar Admissions: District of Columbia, California, Wyoming
  • Key Government Roles:
    • Counsel to the U.S. Senate (1997 investigation into President Bill Clinton)
    • General Counsel of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) (George W. Bush administration)
    • Acting Associate Attorney General at the Department of Justice (DOJ)
    • General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security (Nominee)
  • Current Role: Litigation Partner at Latham & Watkins LLP (Washington, D.C. office)

The Dual Career Path: From White House Counsel to Litigation Trailblazer

Perry’s career is defined by its unique duality: a powerful mix of government service and top-tier private litigation. This background provides him with a comprehensive understanding of federal regulatory matters, which is invaluable to his clients today.

His tenure in the George W. Bush administration was particularly impactful. He served as the General Counsel of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), a critical position where he addressed budgetary, regulatory, and policy issues across the entire Executive Branch. Following the September 11 attacks, he was instrumental in addressing homeland security issues and was later nominated to be the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Before his time in the Executive Branch, Perry gained high-profile experience on Capitol Hill. In 1997, he served as general counsel for the Senate investigation into President Bill Clinton, one of his first major roles as an attorney. This early exposure to high-stakes political and legal conflict set the stage for the rest of his career.

In his private practice, primarily at Latham & Watkins LLP, Perry has earned a reputation as a litigation trailblazer. He is recognized for handling matters of national importance, serving as both lead trial court and appellate counsel. His focus areas are highly specialized and often involve complex science and federal policy.

Philip Perry's Current Legal Focus: Biotechnology and Constitutional Law

The most current and distinguishing aspect of Philip Perry's professional life is his specialization in complex, high-stakes litigation, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and constitutional law. This expertise places him at the forefront of legal battles that shape federal regulation and corporate policy.

Mastering Biotechnology and Life Sciences Litigation

Perry is widely known for litigating the leading federal cases concerning biotechnology issues. His work often involves representing major clients, such as Monsanto, in complex environmental and intellectual property disputes related to genetically modified organisms and life sciences. His ability to navigate the intersection of cutting-edge science and intricate federal law is a rare and valuable skill in the legal world.

A notable recent success involved arguing a case before the Eleventh Circuit, securing a major Orphan Drug Exclusivity win for Catalyst Pharmaceuticals. This victory highlights his proficiency in appellate counsel and his deep understanding of regulatory pathways like those established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Constitutional and Supreme Court Practice

Beyond life sciences, Perry is a seasoned appellate and Supreme Court litigation expert. He routinely handles constitutional and federal regulatory matters, including white-collar defense cases. His experience arguing before various U.S. Courts of Appeals and his involvement in Supreme Court litigation underscore his role as a top-tier Washington lawyer. This area of practice is particularly relevant given the current climate of intense federal scrutiny and regulatory changes.

The Political Dynamic: Supporting Liz Cheney's Post-2022 Mission

While Philip Perry's professional life is centered in the courtroom, his public profile is inextricably linked to his wife, Liz Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney. The couple, who met in 1989 and married in 1993, have maintained a strong partnership throughout their respective careers in law and politics.

Following Liz Cheney's prominent role as Vice Chair of the House Select Committee on January 6th and her subsequent loss in the 2022 Wyoming Republican primary, the couple has remained highly visible in the political sphere. Perry has been an unwavering supporter of his wife's continued mission to prevent Donald Trump's return to the presidency and to advocate for the principles of the Republican Party she believes in.

Their influence in Washington D.C. continues to be substantial. As Liz Cheney focuses on different political issues and her anti-Trump advocacy, Perry's position as a powerful, well-connected attorney provides a significant foundation of legal and political expertise. His career trajectory—from George W. Bush's transition team to a top litigation partner—perfectly complements Liz Cheney's current role as a leading voice in the national debate over the future of American democracy.

Philip Perry: 5 Key Facts About Liz Cheney's Powerhouse Lawyer Husband and His Current Work
Philip Perry: 5 Key Facts About Liz Cheney's Powerhouse Lawyer Husband and His Current Work

Details

philip perry
philip perry

Details

philip perry
philip perry

Details

Detail Author:

  • Name : Miss Eileen Herzog II
  • Username : hattie.rohan
  • Email : batz.antonetta@rutherford.com
  • Birthdate : 1970-01-12
  • Address : 386 Camron Mews Suite 016 Lanefort, IA 27014-3259
  • Phone : 207-208-3286
  • Company : Farrell, Ledner and Bradtke
  • Job : Extraction Worker
  • Bio : Ut ipsum velit ut alias beatae a perferendis. Et et omnis aliquam molestias in. Expedita perferendis minima aut odit dolorem.

Socials

linkedin:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/emery_oberbrunner
  • username : emery_oberbrunner
  • bio : Ut expedita labore saepe natus. Atque commodi sit nihil. Asperiores sequi deserunt blanditiis aut.
  • followers : 999
  • following : 1593