Audrey Strauss

Audrey Strauss
Name	Audrey Strauss
Office	United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York
Term start	June 20, 2020
Term end	January 15, 2021
Predecessor	Geoffrey Berman
Successor	Damian Williams
Birth date	1946
Alma mater	University of Michigan (B.A.), Columbia Law School (J.D.)
Profession	Lawyer, Prosecutor

Audrey Strauss. An American attorney who served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 2020 to 2021. She assumed the role after the controversial departure of Geoffrey Berman and oversaw one of the nation's most prominent federal prosecutor's offices. Her career spans decades in both private practice and public service, including significant roles in major financial and organized crime prosecutions.

Early life and education

Audrey Strauss was born in 1946. She completed her undergraduate studies, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. She then pursued a legal education, attending Columbia Law School, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree. Following law school, she began her legal career in New York City, entering the demanding field of federal prosecution.

Legal career

Strauss began her legal career as an assistant United States attorney in the Southern District of New York during the 1970s. She later transitioned to private practice, becoming a partner at the prominent law firm Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson. In this role, she focused on complex litigation and white-collar criminal defense. She returned to public service in 2019, accepting the position of deputy United States attorney under Geoffrey Berman, serving as the second-in-command of the office.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York

In June 2020, following the abrupt resignation of Geoffrey Berman, Strauss was appointed as the acting United States Attorney by Attorney General William Barr. Her appointment was confirmed by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. She led the office during a period of significant cases, including investigations into Rudy Giuliani and prosecutions related to the Ghislaine Maxwell case. She served until January 2021, when she was succeeded by Damian Williams following the inauguration of President Joe Biden.

Notable cases and prosecutions

During her tenure, Strauss oversaw the continuation and conclusion of several high-profile investigations. Her office secured the conviction of Keith Raniere, leader of the NXIVM sex cult, on charges including racketeering and sex trafficking. She also managed the prosecution of Michael Avenatti for attempting to extort Nike, Inc.. Furthermore, her office pursued charges against Halkbank, a Turkish state-owned bank, for evading sanctions against Iran. These cases reinforced the office's reputation for pursuing complex financial and organized crime.

Later career and activities

After leaving the United States Attorney's Office, Strauss returned to private practice. She rejoined Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson as of counsel, focusing on government investigations and regulatory enforcement matters. She has also served on the board of directors for the Legal Aid Society, contributing to efforts in providing legal services. Her expertise is frequently sought in matters involving the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice.

Personal life

Audrey Strauss is married to fellow attorney John Savarese, a partner at the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. The couple resides in New York City. She maintains a relatively private personal life, with her public profile defined primarily by her extensive legal career and leadership within the federal justice system.

Category:American lawyers Category:United States Attorneys for the Southern District of New York Category:Columbia Law School alumni Category:University of Michigan alumni