Guv's counsel leaves to clerk for Alito

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. announced Thursday his general counsel, Mike Lee, is resigning to become a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Jr.

Lee, who will begin the clerkship in July, will be replaced by Michele Christiansen. She is currently the director of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice in the governor's office.

Huntsman said Lee "has shown incredible dedication and has proven his considerable legal acumen this past year and a half." Lee formerly served as a clerk for Alito when Alito was a federal appeals court judge and pushed for his appointment to the high court.

"Selfishly, I am disappointed, but extremely proud of Mike," the governor said. "There have been only a handful of Utahns who have ever been selected for this prestigious post in Washington."

Christiansen was labeled "a very talented attorney" by Huntsman, who said he has "benefited from her counsel, friendship and leadership at CCJJ. I look forward to working with her in this new role."