President Biden is announcing four new nominees to serve as U.S. Attorneys across the country, officials who will be indispensable to upholding the rule of law as the top federal law enforcement officials for their districts.
These individuals were chosen for their devotion to enforcing the law, their professionalism, their experience and credentials in this field, their dedication to pursuing equal justice for all, and their commitment to the independence of the Department of Justice.
The President has launched a comprehensive effort to take on the uptick in gun crime that has been taking place for the last 18 months—putting more cops on the beat, supporting community prevention programs, and cracking down on illegal gun trafficking. Confirming U.S. Attorneys as the chief federal law enforcement officers in their district is important for these efforts.
The President has now announced 29 nominees to serve as U.S. Attorneys.
U.S. Attorney Biographies
Cindy K. Chung, U.S. Attorney nominee for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Cindy K. Chung is an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, where she has served since 2014. She has held numerous leadership positions in the office, including Acting Deputy Chief of the Violent Crimes Section at various times from 2015 to 2017 and Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Section from 2018 to 2020. From 2009 to 2014, Ms. Chung served as a Trial Attorney in the Criminal Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. She worked in the New York County District Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, first as an Assistant District Attorney from 2003 to 2007 and then as an Investigation Counsel in the Official Corruption Unit from 2007 to 2009. Ms. Chung clerked for Judge Myron Thompson of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama from 2002 to 2003.
Ms. Chung received her J.D. from Columbia Law School in 2002 and her B.A. from Yale University in 1997.
Gregory K. Harris, U.S. Attorney nominee for the Central District of Illinois
Gregory K. Harris is an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois, where he has served since 2001. He has held various leadership positions in the office, including Chief of the Criminal Division. From 1988 to 2001, Mr. Harris was a partner at the law firm Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C. in Illinois. Mr. Harris served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois from 1980 to 1988. From 1978 to 1980, Mr. Harris was Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Governor’s Office of Manpower and Human Development and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Development. Mr. Harris served as an Assistant Appellate Defender in the Illinois Office of State Appellate Defender from 1976 until 1978.
Mr. Harris received his J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly known as The John Marshall Law School) in 1976 and his B.A. from Howard University in 1971.
Gary M. Restaino, U.S. Attorney nominee for the District of Arizona
Gary M. Restaino is an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, where he has served since 2003. He has held various leadership positions in the office, including Chief of the Criminal Division from 2012 to 2016 and Chief of the White Collar Crime Section from 2008 to 2009. From 2009 to 2010, Mr. Restaino was detailed as a Trial Attorney to the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice. Mr. Restaino was a civil rights lawyer at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office from 1999 to 2003. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Restaino represented migrant and seasonal farmworkers at Community Legal Services, Inc. Between college and law school, Mr. Restaino served with the Peace Corps in Paraguay from 1991 to 1993.
Mr. Restaino received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1996 and his B.A. from Haverford College in 1990.
Philip R. Sellinger, U.S. Attorney nominee for the District of New Jersey
Philip R. Sellinger is Co-Managing Partner of the New Jersey office of the law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, an office he founded in 2002. He previously served as co-chair of the firm’s Global Litigation Practice Group from 2013 to 2017. From 1984 to 2002, Mr. Sellinger worked at Sills Cummis & Gross P.C., where he held several leadership positions, including Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department and member of the firm’s Management Committee. Mr. Sellinger previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey from 1981 to 1984. Mr. Sellinger served as a law clerk for Judge Anne E. Thompson on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey from 1979 to 1980.
Mr. Sellinger received his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1979 and his B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1976.
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