Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces The Appointment Of Criminal Division Chief

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, today announced the appointment of Laura Grossfield Birger as Chief of the Office’s Criminal Division.

Ms. Birger returns to the Office from the law firm of Cooley LLP, where she was a partner representing individuals and entities in white collar criminal, complex civil, and regulatory matters.  Ms. Birger was previously an Assistant United States Attorney in the Office for 10 years, from 1997 to 2007, serving in the Criminal Division.  From 2004 to 2007, Ms. Birger was chief of the General Crimes Unit, and from 2003 to 2004, she was Deputy Chief of the Appeals Unit.  Ms. Birger graduated magna cum laude from Brown University in 1990 and from Yale Law School in 1993.  Upon graduation from law school, Ms. Birger served as a law clerk to United States District Judge Norma L. Shapiro of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

In making the appointment, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “I am extremely pleased that Laura Birger will be returning to public service as Chief of the Office’s Criminal Division.  Laura was an outstanding AUSA during her prior tour in the Office and is an accomplished criminal defense lawyer.  I am confident that with her intellect, energy, vision, and leadership, Laura will be a terrific Criminal Division Chief.  I welcome Laura’s return, and I thank Lisa Zornberg for her more than two years of exceptional service as Chief of the Criminal Division.”