Greetings. It’s David Lat, one of your two editors here at Wonkette. And just like Star Jones, another ex-prosecutor-turned-sassy-personality, I’m using this week to say good-bye — at least for now.

As is usually the case, the gossip is true. I’m leaving the wild ‘n wacky world of politics, which I’ve enjoyed blogging about for the past five months, to return to my first love: the law. Not the practice of it, but writing about it; I’m going back to the legal blogosphere, from whence I came. Having spent a truckload of dough earnin’ a fancy law school degree, as well as several years in legal practice, I figure I might as well put it all to some productive use (with “productive” loosely defined).

The full details, plus teary farewells, after the jump (or just click here, then scroll down).

I’m going to be developing a legal gossip blog for Elizabeth Spiers, Carter Burden, and Justin Smith, the trio behind the Wall Street blog DealBreaker. If you’re interested in learning more about this new project, check out my first blog, Underneath Their Robes, sometime next month. I expect to put up more details there as this next blawg takes shape.

No farewell would be complete without expressions of gratitude. At the risk of sounding high-school-yearbookish, I’d like to Nick Denton and Lockhart Steele, for the great privilege of blogging at Wonkette; Alex Pareene, for being a fantastic co-blogger; Ana Marie Cox and Chris Lehmann, for their insight and advice; Nick Mueller and Henry Seltzer, interns extraordinaire; Liz Gorman, Intrepid Girl Photographer; and the rest of the amazing crew at Gawker Media.

Finally, I’d like to thank all of the folks who have welcomed me to Washington and taught me the ways of this town, as well as all the tipsters who’ve sent great stuff our way. I’ll keep you anonymous, to keep you out of trouble; but please know that I’m tremendously grateful for everything.

Early wishes for a happy Fourth of July!

Memo Pad: Lat Pulled [WWD]
Lat Leaving Wonkette, Returning to the Law [WSJ Law Blog]
Media Bubble: People Like News, Especially When It’s Pretty [Gawker]
Spiers Spreads Her Wings [Jossip]

Earlier: Letter From the Editors: Politics Makes Strange Blogfellows
Letter from Ana: Blog Days

Garrett "Did I mention I was the first blogger in the White House briefing room?" Graff joins Gawkeress Elizabeth Spiers on the list of bloggers to break through the medium barrier and join the staff of a glossy city lifestyle magazine. Of course, Spiers eventually left New York to run Mediabistro.com, which is, coincidentally, where Graff has been. No matter: Graff is joining the staff of the Washingtonian, and, frankly, we can't think of a more perfect fit.

His announcement follows after the jump. Good news: He's not leaving the 'Bowl and he wants a helper! Ability to summarize Hotline interviews a plus.

UPDATE: Graff lets readers in on the good news. [FishbowlDC]

Dear Friends/Colleagues,

I've been writing on my blog nearly daily this month about how many journalists in Washington are taking the slow days of August to change jobs. I didn't think I was going to be one of them.

Out of the blue last week, I was offered and have subsequently accepted a job at Washingtonian magazine as editor-at-large, the post left open this summer by Chuck Conconi's retirement. While not exactly filling Chuck's shoes (not sure anyone really could), I'll be doing many of the same things he was before he retired last month after forty years on the D.C. A-List: I'll be overseeing Capital Comment, their front-of-the-book shorts section, as well as writing long-form narrative pieces like my recent Howard Kurtz article.

While I've entertained a few job interviews over the past four months, I didn't really think that I'd be headed back inside the mainstream media quite so quickly. Nevertheless the days of commuting from my bedroom to my couch appear to be over. It will be a radical shift in my life: The ogres at Washingtonian have warned me that I'll be expected not only to come into the office, but ALSO to wear pants regularly. All told, though, this opportunity is too perfect to pass up. As the beat ranges from sports and entertainment to food, politics, business, the law, and, yes, the media, it's an excuse to learn and know everything about anything going on in the area and fulfill my deepest curiosities about all things Washington.

Although I won't be giving up writing Fishbowl D.C., I will need to take a step back, and we are currently looking for a part-time co-writer to share posting responsibilities with me. (If you know of anyone who would be so inclined, please have them contact me.)

I'll be starting at Washingtonian full-time in about ten days, and will send around my new contact information once I get there. You'll still be able to reach me here and on my cell phone, as always.

Sincerely,

Garrett