Gov. Jim Doyle reached out to a loyal ally today in naming the attorney to defend the state against a legal challenge to its benefits registry for same-sex couples.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, a Republican, declined Friday to represent the state since he said the state's new domestic partner registry violates the state's constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions.

Doyle, a Democrat, today appointed in Van Hollen's place Lester Pines of Madison, a strong supporter of Democratic causes whose wife, Roberta Gassman, is Doyle's labor secretary. Pines is a veteran of high-profile political cases, including a defense of the state Government Accountability Board against a lawsuit by Van Hollen himself and a challenge to the constitutional gay marriage ban.

Pines will receive $175 an hour for his work for a total of up to $20,000 over one year, Doyle spokeswoman Carol Andrews said. Andrews said Doyle chose Pines because of his 34-year record as a lawyer.

“I selected Lester Pines because he is uniquely qualified as he is already involved in a pro bono challenge to the marriage amendment that its presentation to the voters of Wisconsin violated the Wisconsin Constitution," Doyle said in a statement.

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