Damian
Williams

Damian Williams served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 2021-2024.

Background

Damian Williams served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 2021 to 2024. In that role, he was the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District, which was established in 1789 and encompasses the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx in New York City, along with Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Westchester counties. He is the first Black person to serve as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

As United States Attorney, Damian supervised the investigation and prosecution of all federal crimes and the litigation of all civil matters in which the United States has an interest. He led a staff of approximately 450 lawyers, special agents, paralegals and other support professionals.

Among other priorities, Damian created a civil rights unit in SDNY’s criminal division to combat the rise in hate crimes and sex trafficking, sought a court-appointed receiver for Rikers Island, and launched an initiative to fast-track high-priority evidence extraction that modernized how prosecutors obtain, analyze, and use data.

Under his leadership, the Southern District brought some of the nation’s most high-profile and impactful cases. The office fought corruption on Wall Street and in government; protected the country from national security threats; brought sex traffickers to justice; dismantled violent gangs; and attacked every level of the fentanyl crisis, from cartel leaders to local dealers. Damian’s tenure as United States Attorney is widely recognized as one of the most productive in the Southern District’s history. In 2024, Time Magazine named Damian as one of the world’s most influential rising leaders.

Prior to his confirmation as United States Attorney, Damian served as Chief of the Southern District’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. As an Assistant United States Attorney, Damian primarily investigated and prosecuted white collar cases involving corruption in financial markets and politics. He prosecuted politicians from both parties, including Congressman Chris Collins for insider trading and lying to the FBI and New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for bribery, extortion, and money laundering.
Damian earned a degree in Economics from Harvard University, a M.Phil. in International Relations from the University of Cambridge, and a J.D. from Yale Law School. He served as a law clerk to Judge Merrick B. Garland of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and then to Justice John Paul Stevens of the United States Supreme Court.
Damian lives in New York City with his wife, Jennifer Wynn, and two kids.