Merksamer served as the Chief of Staff to Governor George Deukmejian, a position which he held from 1983 to 1987. Prior to that, he was the Special Assistant Attorney General of the State of California, serving as the Attorney General’s senior counselor and policy advisor. In that capacity, Mr. Merksamer advised the Attorney General on the principal litigation conducted by the Civil, Public Rights and Criminal Law Divisions. He previously served as a California Deputy Attorney General. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Merksamer served as an Assistant to the Lt. Governor of California and as Assistant to the Speaker of the California State Assembly. University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law J.D. Claremont McKenna College B.A.,