Who is Damian Williams?

Damian Williams was confirmed as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), becoming the first Black U.S. Attorney in the district’s history on October 10th, 2021. Nominated by President Joe Biden in August 2021, Williams oversees a jurisdiction that covers Manhattan, the Bronx, and several surrounding counties, making it one of the most influential federal legal districts in the country.

Williams’ journey to this role is built on a strong academic foundation and an accomplished legal career. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard University before completing a Master’s degree in International Relations at the University of Cambridge. Williams then graduated with a J.D. from Yale Law School. His career began with prestigious clerkships for Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and Justice John Paul Stevens of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Before his confirmation as U.S. Attorney, Williams served as the Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force in the SDNY. In that role, he prosecuted high-profile cases involving corruption in financial markets and politics. Notably, Williams led the successful prosecutions of Congressman Chris Collins for insider trading and New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for bribery and extortion.

Currently, Williams is at the helm of two high-profile cases that have garnered national attention. The first involves New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who faces federal charges of bribery and campaign fund fraud. Williams has highlighted Adams’ alleged acceptance of illegal contributions and lavish gifts, stating, “Public office is a privilege… we allege that Mayor Adams broke that privilege and broke the law.” Williams’ office is also investigating Sean “Diddy” Combs for sex trafficking and racketeering, a case that has added to his prominence in the legal world.

Aside from these duties, Williams also serves as Chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), providing policy guidance at the national level. His leadership in high-stakes federal cases and his dedication to upholding public trust have cemented his role as a key figure in American law enforcement.