By John E. Mulligan
Journal Washington bureau

The Donilons of Providence are shaping up as a well-placed brotherhood in the Obama-Biden White House.

Providence native Mike Donilon -- a lawyer and political consultant whose clients have included Jack Reed and Sen. John F. Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee -- has been named counselor to President-elect Joe Biden.

"Mike Donilon has been one of my closest advisers for more than 25 years, and is one of the most astute counselors in national affairs I have ever met,'' Biden, the former senator from Delaware, said in a press release. Donilon was a key member of the team that prepared Biden for his debate with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP vice-presidential nominee.

Another longtime Biden associate, Donilon's older brother Tom, is leading Obama's State Department transition team and may be headed for the National Security Council. The Washington Post has reported that Donilon, once chief of staff to Secretary of State Warren Christopher, is a top candidate to be deputy national security adviser.

That's not the end of the Biden-Donilon family network. The newly named chief of staff to Biden's wife, Jill Biden, is Cathy Russell, who is marrried to Tom Donilon.