Lloyd Cutler
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Lloyd Norton Cutler (November 10, 1917–May 8, 2005) was an American attorney who served as White House Counsel during the Democratic administrations of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
Cutler was born in New York City. His father was a trial lawyer. Cutler graduated from Yale University in 1936 at the age of 18, with a bachelor's degree in history and economics. Three years later, he graduated magna cum laude from Yale Law School. Following his graduation, Cutler clerked for Judge Charles Clark for a year before entering private practice.
During World War II, he worked briefly for the Lend-Lease Administration, later enlisting in the U.S. Army and becoming an intelligence analyst. In 1962, he co-founded the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering, specializing in international law and public policy. Later, he co-chaired the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, formed at the request of President John F. Kennedy.
Cutler was White House Counsel to Jimmy Carter, whom he met first while both served on the Trilateral Commission. He served as a special counsel and consultant to the president on the ratification of SALT II and other international matters. Cutler also served as counsel in Bill Clinton's administration.
On February 6, 2004, Cutler was appointed to the Iraq Intelligence Commission, an independent panel tasked with investigating U.S. intelligence surrounding the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the allegations that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.
On May 8, 2005, Cutler died of complications of a broken hip in Washington, D.C. at his home. He is survived by his wife, Polly Kraft, and four children, three of whom were practicing lawyers.