Although the decisions are ultimately of President Joe Biden, Schumer’s imprimatur makes them favorites to be nominated. If confirmed, Williams would be the first black man to occupy the top job in the Southern District. He has worked at the office since 2012 and currently oversees the office’s securities and commodities fraud task force.
“Damian Williams has tremendous legal acumen, is deeply experienced in the Southern District, has judged significant cases and has a strong commitment to equal justice and civil rights under the law,” said Schumer in a statement. “He is ready to take charge and lead the Southern District into a bright future.”
In addition to dealing with major financial processes, the firm is also regularly involved in other important or sensitive cases, such as several that orbit around former President Donald Trump and his businesses. He also has a deeply rooted independent streak that sets him apart from other branches of the Department of Justice and periodically attracts friction with Washington.
During his presidency, Trump tried to nominate SEC President Jay Clayton to head the office, but the effort failed when the then U.S. lawyer – Geoffrey Berman – started an impasse by refusing to resign.
The episode got more confusing when then-attorney general William Barr tried to replace Berman with the attorney general appointed by Trump for New Jersey. The move generated strong resistance from the legal community and Democrats in Congress. Barr finally relented and allowed Berman’s favorite successor – Audrey Strauss, the firm’s top career promoter – to take over after Berman left last summer.
Schumer, facing reelection next year and a potential challenge from the left, hailed his choices as historic. Ross, who would be the first black woman to hold the position, works in the National Science Foundation’s inspector general office and previously worked as a prosecutor in the Western District attorney’s office for more than two decades.
Peace, a partner and white-collar defense attorney at Cleary Gottlieb, has also previously worked in the East District attorney’s office.
“All three of these excellent and talented lawyers have dedicated their careers to equality of justice before the law and will bring a passion for the rule of law, civil rights and justice to their respective positions, as well as deep integrity and experience in their offices,” Schumer said. .