When he prepared to retire from the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals this year, Judge Nathaniel R. Jones, 75, swore that he was “retiring from the bench, not from life in general.” The man known for promoting civil rights is holding true to his promise.

        Last week, the prestigious Philadelphia-based Blank Rome firm announced that Judge Jones will practice out of its Cincinnati, Washington, D.C., and New York City offices as a senior partner.

        Judge Jones will specialize in dispute resolution for the firm of about 400 lawyers.

        He began his legal career as a young lawyer in the Justice Department under President Kennedy and spent 22 years on the federal bench, where he became known as a passionate protector of civil liberties.

        “I have been fortunate to have been able to devote a great portion of my career to those issues about which I feel the most passionate, namely, the advancement of the civil rights movement and the law,” he said.

        “It is a privilege to be able to continue this work at such a well-respected and prestigious firm as Blank Rome.”

        Judge Jones was nominated to the federal bench by President Carter in 1979. He will continue serving as co-chair of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and chair of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative.

        “Nate Jones is an extraordinary addition to the firm,” said David F. Girard-diCarlo, Blank Rome's co-chairman and chief executive officer. “The depth of his legal experience, combined with the ground-breaking work he has done on behalf of the international civil rights movement and organizations ... will make an invaluable asset to Blank Rome and our government relations practice.”

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