Clinton Lawyer Says No to Job Offer

Cheryl Mills, the young lawyer whose spirited defense of President Clinton wowed onlookers at his impeachment trial, has declined an offer from her boss to make history as the next White House counsel, administration officials said. Mills would have been the first woman and first black to serve as the White House’s top lawyer. She informed Clinton of her decision Friday after considering his offer for much of the summer, the officials said. Mills has worked for Clinton since the start of his presidency. She has agreed to remain in the White House as acting counsel until a successor to Charles F.C. Ruff is named. Ruff, who served as counsel during the most turbulent years of Clinton’s tenure, is returning to private practice.