Webster Hubbell facts for kids

Webster Lee "Webb" Hubbell, born on January 18, 1948, is a former high-ranking government official. He served as the United States Associate Attorney General from 1993 to 1994. This important role meant he helped lead the U.S. Department of Justice. Before working in the federal government, he was the Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Early Life and Education

Webster Hubbell grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a talented athlete at Hall High School, playing three different sports. He earned a football scholarship to the University of Arkansas. There, he played as an offensive tackle for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team.

In his final year, 1968-1969, his team won the Southwest Conference championship. They also famously beat an undefeated Georgia team in the Sugar Bowl. After college, the Chicago Bears picked him in the 1969 NFL draft. However, an injury stopped his football career early. He earned a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1970. Later, he received a law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law with honors.

Career in Arkansas

Hubbell started his law career at the Rose Law Firm in 1973. In 1977, Hillary Clinton also joined the firm as a law partner. In 1978, he was appointed to Little Rock's City Board of Directors. The next year, in 1979, he was elected Mayor of Little Rock. He served as mayor until 1981.

He was re-elected to the City Board of Directors in 1980. He served there until 1984, when he became the chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. After his time on the court, he returned to the Rose Law Firm. He worked there until he moved to Washington, D.C., in 1993.

Hubbell was also very involved in his community. He was president of the Visiting Nurses Association. He served on the board of the Arkansas Arts Center and the UAMS Foundation. He also chaired the Arkansas State Board of Bar Examiners.

Federal Government Career

After the 1992 election, Hubbell joined the team preparing for the new Clinton Administration. He was a senior official, helping to choose people for important roles. This included checking candidates for the Cabinet and other top positions.

After President Clinton's inauguration, Hubbell became a link between the White House and the United States Department of Justice. He arrived at the Justice Department on January 20, 1993. Before a new Attorney General was approved, Hubbell worked as an assistant. President Clinton considered him for the Attorney General position. However, Janet Reno was nominated instead.

Hubbell was officially nominated as Associate Attorney General on April 2, 1993. He was quickly confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He served in this role until April 1994. He was in charge of all the civil divisions of the U.S. Department of Justice. He also oversaw the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Janet Reno appointed him as the Chief Operating Officer of the department. This meant he helped manage its 100,000 employees and a large budget.

Resignation and Legal Matters

During a period known as the Whitewater controversy, questions arose about Hubbell's past work. He resigned as Associate Attorney General on April 14, 1994. This was to avoid controversy related to his work at the Justice Department. He hoped to resolve the issues with the Rose Law Firm.

In December 1994, he faced legal challenges regarding his past private practice. After a legal process, he spent a period of time unable to work in his usual profession. In 1997, he published a book called Friends in High Places. It shared his story of rising in Arkansas politics and his time in the Clinton administration.

Life After Public Service

After a period of legal challenges, Hubbell worked for the NCIA. This organization focuses on criminal justice. Later, he worked as a legal consultant. He also served as general counsel for an internet start-up company. He then became general counsel and senior vice-president for a large insurance company until 2010.

After a liver transplant due to a rare form of hepatitis, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. There, he began writing novels. His first novel, When Men Betray, was released in May 2014. He has since written Ginger Snaps and A Game Of Inches.

Personal Life

Hubbell and his wife, Suzy, have four children and seven grandchildren. They moved from Washington, D.C., to Charlotte in 2010. Suzy works as a realtor/broker in Charlotte.