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Damian Williams Returns to Paul Weiss After High-Profile Tenure as U.S. Attorney
Former Federal Prosecutor Resumes Private Practice
Damian Williams, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has rejoined Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison as a partner in its New York office. Williams previously worked at the firm before embarking on his career in public service.
Career as U.S. Attorney
Appointed in 2021 by President Joe Biden, Williams served as the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan until his recent resignation in November 2024. His departure coincides with the transition to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has nominated Jay Clayton, former chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, to succeed Williams. Clayton’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
High-Profile Cases During Tenure
While serving as U.S. Attorney, Williams handled numerous high-profile cases, securing convictions in cases involving:
- U.S. Senator Bob Menendez
- Cryptocurrency executive Sam Bankman-Fried
- Archegos Capital Management founder Bill Hwang
Additionally, Williams brought bribery charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has pleaded not guilty.
Previous Experience
Before his appointment as U.S. Attorney, Williams led the Southern District’s securities and commodities task force. Earlier in his career, he clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and for Merrick Garland when Garland served as a federal judge.
New Role at Paul Weiss
In his new role, Williams will focus on representing clients in federal and state government investigations, white-collar matters, and internal investigations. He expressed enthusiasm about returning to Paul Weiss, where he began his legal career.