Prominent Washington lawyer who secured book deals for Obama, Clinton dies at 79

Robert Barnett, a Washington lawyer, DC, who obtained successful book offers for the presidents and the media stars, died. He was 79 years old.

Barnett, who was born in Illinois, was the literary representative of Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton and dozens of other media leaders. He also represented Edward M. Kennedy, Dick Cheney and Mitch McConnell. He embodied an era when he worked freely with Democrats and Republicans was commonplace.

He died Thursday evening at the Sibley Memorial Hospital of an “unknown disease,” the Associated Press of Barnett in Williams & Connolly, Michael F. O’Connor told the Associated Press. Additional details were not immediately available.

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Washington’s lawyer Robert Barnett, a trademark who represented presidents, authors and personalities on television, has died. (Cade Martin via AP)

A stocky and raucous man with turtle turtle glasses, ancient hairdressers and a talent to be both frank and discreet, Barnett was a long-standing democrat who worked on the campaign of Jimmy Carter in 1976 and helped Bill Clinton and other candidates in the preparation of the debate.

He would close contracts for such a wide range of political figures that he liked to joke that the fact that all of his customers meet in a single room would lead to a “Second World War”.

Barnett clearly indicated that he was not a literary agent but a lawyer, invoicing at the time of taking royalties, a system that left everyday writers but delivered millions for its renowned customers.

The Clinton described Barnett as a “brilliant lawyer” who wanted a lot.

“He was a dear friend, a trusted advisor and a wise, faithful and constant guide of the worlds of publishing and entertainment,” said their declaration. “In everything he did, Bob brought his own spark of special joy.”

Robert Barnett, Mandy Grunwald and Mark Penn, best political advisers in Hillary Clinton, during an event during the Clinton Senate race in 2000 in Washington, DC (David Hume Kennerly / Getty Images)

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Barnett negotiated the Memoirs of Bill Clinton in 2004, “My Life” – a successful publication contract which cemented Barnett’s reputation as an essential lawyer for political leaders. Barnett was part of Clinton’s presidential campaign in 1992.

Barnett negotiated Hillary Clinton’s contracts for “Living History” (2003), “Hard Choices” (2014), and subsequent work, as well as cinematographic / television projects that have released his career.

“Bob had a perceptive eye for editorial details and a passionate ear for language and nuances, but more importantly, he was completely devoted to his customers, always without bankruptcy with his considerable time and talents,” said the declaration.

Fox News Media CEO, Suzanne Scott thought about Barnett’s influence, calling it both a Titan of the Industry and a trusted friend.

“Bob Barnett was legendary as a Titan of industry in the media, politics and law, and in his heart, a wonderful man,” said Scott in a statement. “His immaculate integrity, his wise lawyer and his knowledge of our business were an invaluable resource for me during our 30 -year relationship.”

Washington lawyer Robert Barnett showed here in 1991 with customer books, including George Will, Bob Woodward and Peggy Noonan. (Images Janet Fries / Getty)

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“He will be deeply missing by the Fox News media family and the many anchors and correspondents he represented,” she added. “We express our sincere condolences to his wife, Rita, and his whole family.”

In 1972, Barnett married Rita Braver, a colleague graduated from the University of Wisconsin and a future CBS television correspondent. They had a daughter, Meredith.

The Associated Press contributed to this report