Leezie Kim is a partner in the Phoenix office of Quarles & Brady LLP, where she helps clients navigate the laws of national security and international business transactions as well as healthcare and restaurant business transactions. She returned to the Firm following four years of service as a White House appointee to the U. S. Department of Homeland Security and as general counsel to Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.

Homeland and National Security Experience
Ms. Kim was the deputy general counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) in Washington, D.C. for two and a half years, where she was responsible for providing legal advice and support directly to the General Counsel and the Secretary of Homeland Security. DHS is the third largest agency in the federal government with over 1,800 lawyers within the DHS Office of General Counsel. Ms. Kim worked extensively on issues related to:

• Aviation transportation security, particularly the implementation of the Advanced Imaging Technology passenger screening programs.
  
• Immigration benefits and immigration detention and enforcement policy.
  
• Employer E-Verify implementation.
  
• Customs enforcement.
  
• Southern border protection, fence and surveillance issues.
  
• Federal emergency response to natural disasters.
  
• Large scale, deepwater oil spill response and post disaster claims dispute resolution.
  
• National Special Security Event (“NSSE”) planning for events such as the Olympics and World Cup.
  
• Intelligence collection, sharing and use for national security purposes.
  
• Congressional investigations and Freedom of Information Act responses.

Arizona Governor’s General Counsel Experience
Ms. Kim was general counsel to Governor Janet Napolitano and responsible for all litigation involving the Governor’s Office and policy matters related to healthcare, transportation, ethics, vetting of judicial candidates, gubernatorial pardons, gaming, lottery and racing. Ms. Kim worked extensively on issues related to:

• Arizona Gaming Compact amendments with Indian Gaming Tribes.
  
• State and federal campaign finance matters.
  
• Arizona Open Meetings and Open Records Act issues.
  
• Government ethics and disclosures.
  
• Immigration. 

Corporate Representation Experience
Ms. Kim began her career as a corporate finance lawyer where she practiced in the area of corporate finance and securities, and mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Kim has particular experience in the health care, semiconductor manufacturer and restaurant industries and regularly represents clients in those fields.

Ms. Kim also lectures on professional ethics issues in the corporate and transactional practices.