History of Ron Klain in Timeline
Ronald Alan Klain is an American attorney, political consultant, and lobbyist who held the position of White House Chief of Staff for President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2023. Before his role in the Biden administration, Klain served as chief of staff to two vice presidents, Al Gore (1995–1999) and Joe Biden (2009–2011). His experience also includes work as a legal counsel, including roles as Chief Counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution and as Associate Counsel to President Clinton. Klain's private sector experience involved lobbying work, and he held the position of Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Revolution LLC, an investment firm. He also contributed to political campaigns, notably serving as a senior advisor to the Obama-Biden presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012. Klain has also been involved in media, serving as a news commentator and contributor for various networks.
August 8, 1961: Birth of Ron Klain
Ron Klain was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 8, 1961.
1979: Klain graduates high school
Ron Klain graduated from North Central High School in 1979.
1983: Klain serves as legislative director
From 1983 to 1984, Ron Klain served as legislative director for U.S. representative Ed Markey.
1983: Klain graduates from Georgetown
Ron Klain graduated from Georgetown University in 1983.
1984: Klain's term ends as Legislative Director
Ron Klain's term as legislative director for Ed Markey ended in 1984.
1987: Klain graduates from Harvard Law
Ron Klain graduated from Harvard Law School in 1987.
1987: Klain clerks for Justice White
Ron Klain served as a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Byron White during the 1987 and 1988 terms.
1988: Klain assists Biden's speechwriting team
Ron Klain assisted Joe Biden's speechwriting team during the 1988 presidential campaign.
1988: Klain's term ends as clerk for Justice White
Ron Klain finished his clerkship for Supreme Court Justice Byron White in 1988.
1989: Klain becomes Chief Counsel to Senate Committee
Ron Klain became Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary in 1989.
1991: Oversees Clarence Thomas Nomination
In 1991, Ron Klain oversaw the legal staff's work on the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination.
1992: Klain joins Clinton-Gore Campaign
Ron Klain joined the Clinton-Gore presidential campaign in 1992.
1992: Klain's term ends as Chief Counsel
Ron Klain's term as Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary ended in 1992.
1994: Klain becomes Chief of Staff to Janet Reno
In 1994, Ron Klain became chief of staff and counselor to Attorney General Janet Reno.
1995: Klain becomes Chief of Staff to Al Gore
In 1995, Ron Klain became chief of staff to Vice President Al Gore.
1995: Klain becomes Chief of Staff to Al Gore
Ron Klain became Al Gore's Chief of Staff in 1995.
1995: Klain becomes Staff Director of Senate Committee
Ron Klain was appointed staff director of the Senate Democratic Leadership Committee in 1995.
June 16, 1999: Gore launches presidential campaign
Al Gore officially launched his presidential campaign on June 16, 1999, with Ron Klain as his chief of staff.
August 2, 1999: Klain resigns from Gore campaign
Ron Klain resigned from his position as Gore's chief of staff on August 2, 1999.
1999: Klain leaves Gore's office
Ron Klain left his position as Al Gore's chief of staff in 1999.
December 2000: Klain oversees Florida recount
In December 2000, Ron Klain oversaw the recount of votes in Florida as general counsel of Gore's Recount Committee.
2004: Klain advises Wesley Clark and John Kerry
During the 2004 presidential campaign, Klain advised Wesley Clark and later John Kerry.
2005: Klain ends lobbying for Fannie Mae
Ron Klain ceased his lobbying work for Fannie Mae in 2005.
2005: Klain joins Revolution LLC
Ron Klain joined Revolution LLC as executive vice president and general counsel in 2005.
November 12, 2008: Klain chosen as Biden's Chief of Staff
On November 12, 2008, Ron Klain was chosen to be Vice President-elect Joe Biden's chief of staff.
2009: Klain becomes Chief of Staff to Joe Biden
Ron Klain became chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden in 2009.
May 2010: Klain approves Obama's Solyndra visit
In May 2010, Ron Klain approved President Obama's visit to the Solyndra factory.
January 2011: Klain leaves White House
Ron Klain left the White House and returned to Case Holdings in January 2011.
2011: Klain leaves Biden's office
Ron Klain left his position as chief of staff to Joe Biden in 2011.
2012: Klain's prediction about Solyndra
Ron Klain predicted in 2010 that some companies like Solyndra might fail by the 2012 election.
October 2014: Klain appointed Ebola Response Coordinator
While working at Revolution LLC, Klain was appointed Ebola response coordinator in October 2014.
October 17, 2014: Klain appointed Ebola Response Coordinator
Ron Klain was appointed "Ebola response coordinator" on October 17, 2014.
2014: Klain appointed Ebola Response Coordinator
In 2014, Ron Klain was appointed the White House Ebola Response Coordinator by President Obama.
February 2015: Klain ends term as Ebola Response Coordinator
Klain's term as Ebola Response Coordinator concluded in February 2015.
2015: Klain's term as Ebola Response Coordinator ends
Klain's term as the Ebola Response Coordinator ended in February 2015.
2015: Klain joins Clinton campaign
Ron Klain joined Hillary Clinton's 2015 presidential campaign.
February 2019: Ron Klain Celebrates 40th Valentine's Day with Monica Medina
In February 2019, Ron Klain celebrated his 40th Valentine's Day with his wife Monica Medina, highlighting their long-term relationship since their college days at Georgetown.
April 2020: Klain discusses COVID-19 vaccine
In April 2020, Ron Klain highlighted the importance of a high vaccination rate to combat COVID-19.
November 11, 2020: Biden selects Klain as Chief of Staff
President-elect Joe Biden selected Ron Klain as his White House Chief of Staff on November 11, 2020.
2020: Klain serves as senior advisor to Biden campaign
Throughout 2020, Klain worked as a senior advisor to Joe Biden's presidential campaign.
2020: Klain's Salary at Revolution LLC
In 2020, Ron Klain earned a salary of nearly $2 million while working at Revolution LLC as general counsel and executive vice president.
2021: Klain becomes White House Chief of Staff
Ron Klain began his tenure as White House Chief of Staff under President Joe Biden in 2021.
2021: Klain Featured in Time 100
Ron Klain was named one of Time's 100 most influential people in the world for 2021, recognizing his impact and significance.
2021: Start of Klain's term as Chief of Staff
Ron Klain's term as White House Chief of Staff began in 2021.
October 2022: Klain warned for Hatch Act violation
In October 2022, Ron Klain received a warning for violating the Hatch Act.
2022: Klain's achievements and resignation
Ron Klain achieved significant legislative victories in 2022 and resigned from his position as Chief of Staff.
January 2023: Klain announces resignation
In January 2023, Ron Klain announced his plans to resign as White House Chief of Staff.
January 21, 2023: Klain's Upcoming Resignation Reported
On January 21, 2023, it was reported that Ron Klain would resign from his position as chief of staff after the 2023 State of the Union Address scheduled for February 7, 2023.
February 1, 2023: White House Transition Event for Klain
A goodbye transition event for Ron Klain was held by the White House on February 1, 2023, marking his departure from the role of chief of staff.
April 18, 2023: Klain Joins O'Melveny & Myers LLP
On April 18, 2023, Ron Klain returned to O'Melveny & Myers LLP as a partner to lead their Strategic Counseling and Crisis Management Practice.
November 20, 2023: Airbnb Announces Klain as Chief Legal Officer
On November 20, 2023, Airbnb announced that Ron Klain would assume the role of chief legal officer starting January 1, 2024.
2023: Klain steps down as Chief of Staff
In 2023, Ron Klain resigned from his position as White House Chief of Staff.