Posted Apr 20, 2010 8:44 AM CDT
By Debra Cassens Weiss

Bryan Cave partner James Cole is reportedly under consideration for deputy attorney general, the second-in-command in the Justice Department.

Cole, a white-collar criminal defense lawyer, is currently being vetted for the job, Bloomberg reports, relying on a source who is familiar with the matter. Pro Publica says that the Obama administration has already decided to nominate Cole. Its story relies on a Justice Department official and a second former official.

Cole served in the Justice Department for 13 years, the last four as deputy chief of the Justice Department’s public integrity section, according to the Bryan Cave website. Pro Publica says Cole is also a longtime friend of Attorney General Eric Holder.

Holder's previous deputy, David Ogden, returned to WilmerHale after serving for less than a year.