Federalist Society Names Walmart Counsel New President and CEO

The Federalist Society has selected Sheldon Gilbert to be its second president, the conservative group announced.

Gilbert, who is currently Walmart Inc.‘s senior lead counsel for strategic initiatives, will succeed Eugene Meyer, according to a Saturday announcement.

Gilbert was born in a Utah coal mining town and raised in Idaho, the announcement said. He graduated from the University of Utah and George Washington University Law School. He previously served as a fellow at the National Constitution Center, director of the Institute for Justice’s Center for Judicial Engagement, and as a counsel at the US Chamber of Commerce’s Litigation Center.

Meyer, who has served as executive director, CEO or president of the group for more than 40 years, said he intended to step down earlier this year.

“The Society is doing well, and this transition can, and I trust will, lead to even better things ahead in what will undoubtedly continue to be a very challenging environment,” Meyer wrote in an email sent to Federalist Society members earlier this year.