President Donald Trump has named White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf as the next White House counsel, elevating a longtime legal ally to one of the administration’s top legal positions.

Scharf will replace David Warrington, who is leaving the administration for the private sector on September 1.

Scharf previously worked as a lawyer for Trump, including on the presidential immunity case, and later helped oversee approval of the president’s controversial White House ballroom project.

He will also become an assistant to the president, moving from his administrative role to serve as the White House’s top lawyer, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Trump praised Scharf as “Tough, Strong, and Smart,” highlighting his experience as a federal prosecutor and attorney representing Trump in legal cases.