Attorney General Eric Holder has defended Paul Clement's decision to represent House Republicans in defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the Clinton-era law that bans federal agencies from recognizing the legal marriages of gay and lesbian couples.

The Atlanta-based law firm King & Spalding on Monday announced it was withdrawing from the case, prompting partner Clement to jump ship to the Washington-based Bancroft PLLC, where he'll continue to work on the case. House leaders took on the task of defending the law after President Barack Obama announced he would no longer because he believes the law is unconstitutional. Holder has said he agrees with the president.

Upon offering his resignation, Clement, a former solicitor general, chided his former employer for “abandoning” his client.

Holder on Tuesday praised Clement's talent in the courtroom and told reporters that he's “doing that which lawyers do” in defending the law.

On Tuesday, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights, took credit for pressuring King & Spalding to drop the case.