Biden's initial US attorney picks include historic firsts
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President Joe Biden and his administration on Monday nominated eight lawyers to lead U.S. attorney’s offices, most of whom would be the first Black or female prosecutors to lead their districts.
In announcing the slate, the White House said the nominees were chosen not only for their credentials and professionalism but also for “their dedication to pursuing equal justice for all and their commitment to the independence of the Department of Justice.”
The Associated Press, Law.com and Law360 are among the publications with coverage.
Among the nominees are six lawyers who would be the first Black or female Black U.S. attorneys in their districts, according to Law360.
They are law firm partner and state lawmaker Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland; Suffolk County, Massachusetts, District Attorney Rachael S. Rollins for the District of Massachusetts; federal prosecutor Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana; former federal prosecutor Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana; law firm partner and former federal prosecutor Nicholas W. Brown for the Western District of Washington; and National Science Foundation lawyer and former prosecutor Trini E. Ross for the Western District of New York.
Another first is nominee Vanessa Waldref, an environmental lawyer who would be the first female U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Washington.
Also nominated is DLA Piper partner and former federal public corruption prosecutor Matthew M. Graves, who would supervise U.S. Capitol riot prosecutions as the U.S. attorney in the District of Columbia.
