Law School Alumnus Lanny Breuer ’85 Confirmed As Assistant Attorney General

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Law School Alumnus Lanny Breuer ?85 Confirmed As Assistant Attorney General

 
Media contact:  Sonia von Gutfeld 212-854-1453 sonia.vongutfeld@law.columbia.edu
Public Affairs Office: 212-854-2650 publicaffairs@law.columbia.edu

New York, April 22, 2009 — Columbia Law School alumnus Lanny A. Breuer '85 has been confirmed as Assistant Attorney General for the criminal division of the U.S. Department of Justice in the Obama administration. Breuer’s confirmation by the U.S. Senate was announced yesterday by Attorney General Eric Holder ’76. Breuer replaces Rita M. Glavin, who was serving as the acting assistant attorney general.

“Lanny Breuer brings practical wisdom and deep expertise to the Department of Justice," said David M. Schizer, Dean and the Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law. "We are proud of his commitment to public service and his work on behalf of the common good. As Assistant U.S. Attorney General, Lanny continues a longstanding Columbia Law School tradition of leadership and service in government.”
 
The Criminal Division's more than 700 attorneys and support personnel develop, enforce, and supervise the application of all federal criminal laws, except those specifically assigned to other divisions.
 
Breuer was a partner at Covington and Burling LLP, which he joined in 1989. At the time of his appointment he was co-chair of its white collar defense and investigations practice group. 
 
Breuer was Special Counsel to President Bill Clinton from 1997-1999, working on the president’s defense during his impeachment and other proceedings. He represented superstar baseball pitcher Roger Clemens in his hearings before Congress on steroid use. He began his law career as a prosecutor in Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau’s office after graduating from Columbia Law School in 1985.

In welcoming Breuer and two other assistant attorneys general, Attorney General Eric Holder said, "These exceptional individuals will help lead the Department with dedication, sound judgment and integrity, whether it's aggressively enforcing the antitrust laws, overseeing civil enforcement in the Department's largest litigation division, or combating traditional crimes such as financial fraud or drug trafficking." Holder continued, "I look forward to working with them to advance the interests of justice on behalf of the American people."

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