Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, today announced the selection of Margaret Garnett as Deputy United States Attorney and Daniel M. Gitner as Chief of the Office’s Criminal Division.
Since December 2018, Ms. Garnett has served as the Commissioner of New York City’s Department of Investigation (“DOI”), one of the oldest municipal anti-corruption agencies in the United States. Prior to her service at DOI, Ms. Garnett served as Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice in the Office of the New York State Attorney General. Ms. Garnett was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Office for 12 years, serving at times as Chief of Appeals and Chief of the Violent and Organized Crime Unit. She received the Director’s Award for Outstanding Performance and the Stimson Medal for her exceptional service in the Criminal Division. Prior to her public service, Ms. Garnett worked as an associate at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. She began her public service career as a law clerk to the Honorable Gerard E. Lynch of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Ms. Garnett received her B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, her M.A. from Yale University, and her J.D. from Columbia University.
Mr. Gitner returns to the Office from the law firm of Lankler Siffert & Wohl, where he has served as a partner since 2005. From 1997 to 2005, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York and served, from 2003 to 2005, as Chief of the General Crimes Unit. During his tenure, he received the Director’s Award for Superior Performance and was named the Federal Prosecutor of the Year in 2003 by the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Naomi Reice Buchwald and to the Honorable Barbara S. Jones, both of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Gitner received his B.A. from Cornell University and his J.D. from Columbia University.
In making these selections, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “I am pleased to welcome Margaret and Dan back to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Margaret was a legendary Assistant U.S. Attorney. During her time in the Office, she led some of the Office’s most important investigations and prosecutions, and mentored countless AUSAs. Her storied career in public service leaves no doubt that she will be an exceptional Deputy U.S. Attorney. Dan was one of the best AUSAs of his generation when he was in the Office, and he has been one of the best trial lawyers in America since he left. I am confident that his experience, judgment, and love for the Office will make him an outstanding Chief of the Criminal Division. I want to thank Ilan Graff and Laura Birger for their friendship and outstanding service to the Office during some of the most unprecedented times in the history of the Southern District of New York. I have asked Ilan and Laura to continue their service until Margaret’s and Dan’s arrival and to advise the new Executive staff, and me, during this period of transition.”
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