Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces The Appointment Of Deputy U.S. Attorney And Chief Counsel To The U.S. Attorney

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, today announced the selection of Audrey Strauss as Deputy U.S. Attorney and Craig A. Stewart as Chief Counsel to the U.S. Attorney.  Ms. Strauss will replace Robert Khuzami on his departure April 12.  Rob will return to his home in Washington DC after commuting to the Office weekly while serving as Deputy U.S. Attorney. 

Mr. Stewart, who is leaving his partnership at Arnold & Porter, will return to the Office on March 25, 2019.  At that firm, his work consisted primarily of representing companies and individuals in connection with civil and appellate litigation and investigations by federal and state prosecutors and regulators.  Mr. Stewart served as an Assistant United States Attorney from August 1987 through October 1998 and worked in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions.  During his tenure, Mr. Stewart spent more than three years in the Civil Division, handling a mix of affirmative and defensive litigation, and then eight years in the Criminal Division, where he worked in the General Crimes, Narcotics, Special Narcotics, and Organized Crime units.  He also held a number of supervisory positions, including Chief of the Narcotics Unit, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division and, finally, Chief Appellate Attorney.  Mr. Stewart earned his Juris Doctor degree at Harvard Law School in 1983, and also holds bachelor of arts and masters degrees from Yale University, where he graduated suma cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Following his graduation from law school, Mr. Stewart worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Constance Baker Motley, then the Chief United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

In making the appointments, Manhattan U.S Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Rob Khuzami is an extraordinary and brilliant lawyer who has upheld the ideals of integrity and professionalism that characterize the work of this Office.  There can be no higher praise.  As an example of his extraordinary commitment to the Office, Rob has been commuting weekly from Washington, D.C., since January 2018.  While his desire to continue to serve remains strong, he understandably has decided to return home to his family.  Audrey Strauss, who has been invaluable as Senior Counsel, will undoubtedly continue the important work of the Deputy U.S. Attorney.  Additionally, I am pleased that Craig Stewart will be joining my leadership team as Chief Counsel.  I am certain that Audrey and Craig will support the Office with excellence and insight.”