James Baehr

At a glance

James Baehr’s VA biography describes work as a federal prosecutor, Marine Corps lawyer and military judge, White House policy official and public-interest litigator. The department identifies him as its Senate-confirmed General Counsel.

Summary sources: [1]

Career and documented accomplishments

• Baehr earned a bachelor’s degree in history and government from Dartmouth in 2005 and law and history master’s degrees from the University of Virginia in 2008. He clerked for Fifth Circuit Judge Edith Brown Clement. [1]
• He worked as a federal prosecutor in New Orleans from 2014 to 2019 and later litigated constitutional and administrative cases at the Pelican Institute. The biography also records Marine Corps Reserve military-judge service and White House Domestic Policy Council work. [1]

Role and nomination context

• The VA general counsel leads the department’s legal work across health care, benefits and memorial affairs. The Office of General Counsel explains that its written interpretations can govern future benefits adjudications, subject to changes in law, court decisions or superseding opinions. [1] [2]

Sources and review date

Career and role sources reviewed Oct 14, 2026. These sources may describe developments beyond the nomination snapshot; each nomination entry retains its recorded date and outcome.

1. James Baehr

   U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Reviewed Oct 14, 2026.

2. Office of General Counsel

   U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Reviewed Oct 14, 2026.