Full story: Firm hired by GOP ends work on marriage ban By The Associated Press 8:18am EDT (Atlanta) A prominent law Swingers Personals in Pinos altos firm hired by Republican lawmakers to defend the federal ban on marriage said Monday it was withdrawing from the case amid criticism by advocacy groups, prompting the partner leading the work to quit. The move by Atlanta-based Spalding is the latest flashpoint in the public debate over rights. Chairman Hays Jr. said the firm chose to divorce itself from the controversy after determining that the decision to take the case wasn’t vetted properly, but rights groups had also been pressuring the -lawyer company with plans for a protest Tuesday in Atlanta and with s to its other clients. The groups cheered the move. The decision, however, was sharply criticized by conservative groups, legal observers and the partner who had been handling the case, a former high-ranking Justice Department official under President W. Bush. Washington-based attorney said he’s moving to another law office so he can continue the work. had been retained by House Republican leaders after President Barack ordered the Justice Department in February to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act. His administration said it believes the law, which defines marriage as only between a and a woman, was unconstitutional. Weeks later, House Speaker Boehner said his chamber would take responsibility for defending the law, which has been challenged several times in federal courts in recent years. A House committee voted in March to fund the defense, and officials announced last week that they were retaining at $ an hour. FULL STORY: