WASHINGTON – Amtrak today announced the appointment of Eleanor D. “Eldie” Acheson, Esq. as the corporation’s new Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. She is based at the railroad’s headquarters in Washington.
Acheson has more than 30 years of experience in the legal profession. She began her career as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Edward T. Gignoux in Maine from 1973 to 1974. Thereafter, she practiced law for 19 years with the Boston-based firm Ropes & Gray, becoming a partner in 1983.
Acheson’s practice was in litigation. She handled a wide variety of cases with a particular focus at different times on personal injury claims, partnership and closely held corporation disputes, employment and civil rights cases and environmental law matters.
In 1993 Acheson was appointed Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice by President Bill Clinton. She served in that capacity from 1993 to 2001 with primary responsibilities of managing the Department’s important role in the President’s judicial appointment process and managing the policy office of the Department.
Most recently, Acheson served as the Director, Public Policy and Government Affairs of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a national civil rights organization.
In her role as Amtrak’s Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Acheson will oversee and manage the company’s Law Department and legal work, including its Claims Division, and will support the company’s Board of Directors in its governance of the company.
Acheson is a graduate of Wellesley College and the George Washington University Law School.
