Robert Barnett, influential DC lawyer to presidents and journalists, dies at 79

Robert Barnett, a powerhouse Washington, D.C., attorney who brokered blockbuster book deals for presidents and media stars alike, has died. He was 79. Born in Illinois, Barnett was the literary representative for Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and dozens of other leaders and media moguls. He also represented Edward M. Kennedy, Dick Cheney and Mitch McConnell, embodying an era when working with both Democrats and Republicans was commonplace. He died Thursday night at Sibley Memorial Hospital of an undisclosed illness, one of Barnett's partners at Williams & Connolly, Michael F. O'Connor, told The Associated Press. Additional details were not immediately available.

A stocky, raspy-voiced man with tortoiseshell glasses, antique cuff links and a knack for being both forthright and discreet, Barnett was a longtime Democrat who worked on Jimmy Carter's 1976 campaign and helped Bill Clinton and other candidates in debate preparation. He would broker contracts for such a wide range of political figures that he liked to joke that having all his clients gather in one room would result in "World War III." Barnett made clear he was not a literary agent but an attorney, billing by the hour instead of taking royalties, a system that left everyday writers out but delivered millions for his marquee clients.

The Clintons described Barnett as a "brilliant lawyer" who meant a lot to them. "He was a dear friend, a trusted advisor, and a wise, faithful, and steadfast guide to the publishing and entertainment worlds," their statement reads. "In everything he did, Bob brought his own special spark of joy." Washington attorney Robert Barnett, shown here in 1991 with books by clients, including George Will, Bob Woodward and Peggy Noonan.

Barnett brokered Bill Clinton’s 2004 memoir, "My Life" — a blockbuster publishing contract that cemented Barnett’s reputation as the go-to lawyer for political leaders. He was part of Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. Barnett negotiated Hillary Clinton’s contracts for "Living History" (2003), "Hard Choices" (2014), and later works, as well as film/TV projects spun out of her career. "Bob had an insightful eye for editorial detail and a keen ear for language and nuance, but more importantly, he was utterly devoted to his clients, always unfailingly generous with his time and his considerable talents," the statement reads.

Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott reflected on Barnett’s influence, calling him both an industry titan and a trusted friend. "Bob Barnett was legendary as an industry titan across media, politics and law, and at his core, a wonderful man," Scott said in a statement. "His pristine integrity, wise counsel and knowledge of our business were an invaluable resource to me over the course of our 30-year relationship." "He will be deeply missed by the Fox News Media family and the many anchors and correspondents he represented," she added. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Rita, and his entire family."

In 1972, Barnett married Rita Braver, a fellow graduate of the University of Wisconsin and a future CBS television correspondent. They had a daughter, Meredith. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Barnett’s career spanned decades and political divides, a reminder of an era when cross-partisan work in publishing, politics and media was more commonplace. He helped shape how presidents and first families told their stories to the American public, a role that drew both admiration for his effectiveness and scrutiny over the influence of book deals and media arrangements on political narratives. As politics and media continued to intertwine, Barnett’s name remained a touchstone of the traditional D.C. model in which lawyers, writers and public figures collaborated to translate public life into enduring legacies.

The arc of Barnett’s professional life, from early campaign work to the close of the 2010s, reflected a time when publishing deals could become defining moments for public figures. While his fee structure drew occasional criticism for prioritizing marquee clients, supporters said his strength lay in balancing editorial aims with strategic counsel, helping clients navigate the press, film options and storyteller opportunities that followed major political moments. In the end, colleagues said, Barnett was defined as much by his discretion and devotion to clients as by the scale of the deals he brokered. His death closes a chapter on a distinctive Washington approach to politics, publishing and media that shaped American public life for several decades.