David L. Anderson (attorney)

David L. Anderson is an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of California from 2019 to 2021. Prior to becoming a U.S. Attorney, he practiced law at the law firm of Sidley Austin.

David L. Anderson
United States Attorney for the Northern District of California
In office
January 15, 2019 – February 28, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Joe Biden
Preceded byMelinda Haag
Succeeded byStephanie Hinds
Personal details
BornUnited States
EducationSan Jose State University (B.S.)
Stanford Law School (J.D.)

Education edit

He received his Bachelor of Science, with distinction, from San Jose State University in 1985, and his Juris Doctor, with distinction, from Stanford Law School in 1990.[1][2]

Legal career edit

Anderson clerked for J. Clifford Wallace of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1990 to 1991;[2] for Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy of the United States Supreme Court from 1991 to 1992;[3] and George H. Aldrich of the Iran–United States Claims Tribunal in The Hague from 1992 to 1993.[4][2]

He previously served as First Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of California from 2008 to 2010 and as an Assistant United States Attorney from 1998 to 2002.[1]

He also chaired the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel in the Northern District and taught securities regulation at Hastings College of Law.[2] In 2010, Anderson joined Sidley Austin, handling commercial and securities cases for clients including Wells Fargo.[5] He was a partner at Sidley Austin in August 2018, when he was nominated to be a U.S. Attorney.[3] In September 2021, Anderson returned to working at Sidley Austin,[6] joining the firm's white collar practice.[7]

U.S. Attorney edit

On August 16, 2018, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Anderson to be the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California. On August 27, 2018, his nomination was sent to the United States Senate.[8] On January 2, 2019, his nomination was confirmed by voice vote.[9] Anderson was sworn into office on January 15, 2019. He created a strike force to target corporate fraud in March 2019.[10] In August 2019, Anderson announced the "Federal Initiative for the Tenderloin", a collaboration among 15 federal agencies, including the U.S. attorney's office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI. The initiative focused on prosecuting drug trafficking and other crime in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco.[11][12][13]

On September 20, 2019, Anderson was one of nine U.S. Attorneys appointed by Attorney General William Barr to serve on the Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys. The committee "represents the voice of U.S. attorneys to Main Justice and provides advice and counsel on policy, management and operational issues impacting U.S. attorneys' offices."[14]

On February 8, 2021, he along with 55 other Trump-era U.S. Attorneys were asked to resign.[15] He resigned on February 28, 2021.[16]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "President Donald J. Trump Announces Seventeenth Wave of United States Attorney Nominees and Twelfth Wave of United States Marshal Nominees", The White House, August 16, 2018  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c d Green, Jason (15 January 2019). "SJSU alumnus sworn in as U.S. attorney for Northern District". The Mercury News. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Trump seeks corporate lawyer for US attorney in California". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  4. ^ "David L. Anderson Sworn In As United States Attorney For The Northern District Of California". www.justice.gov. 2019-01-28. Retrieved 2019-02-17.
  5. ^ Egelko, Bob (15 January 2019). "New U.S. Attorney for Northern California takes office". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  6. ^ Lancaster, Alaina (15 September 2021). "Former SF US Attorney Returns to Sidley Austin". The Recorder. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  7. ^ Berg, Lauren (15 September 2021). "Former San Fran US Atty Rejoins Sidley, Along With Ex-AUSA - Law360". Law360. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Nine Nominations Sent to the Senate Today", White House, August 27, 2018
  9. ^ "PN2448 - Nomination of David L. Anderson for Department of Justice, 115th Congress (2017-2018)". www.congress.gov. 2018-08-27. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  10. ^ Todd, Ross (4 March 2019). "San Francisco US Attorney Names Leadership Team, Creates Corporate Fraud 'Strike Force'". The Recorder. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  11. ^ Sernoffsky, Evan (7 August 2019). "Feds launch initiative to crack down on drug dealing in SF's Tenderloin". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Feds announce major crackdown on drug dealing, other crimes in Tenderloin District of San Francisco". ABC7 San Francisco. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  13. ^ Gartrell, Nate (1 March 2021). "Bay Area's top federal prosecutor is out of office, answering President Biden widespread call for Trump-appointed U.S. Attorneys to resign". East Bay Times. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  14. ^ Todd, Ross (September 20, 2019). "Northern District US Attorney Tapped for AG's National Advisory Committee". Law.com. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  15. ^ Balsamo, Michael (February 9, 2021). "Justice Dept. seeks resignations of Trump-era US attorneys". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  16. ^ Cabanatuan, Michael (12 February 2021). "Massive federal drug bust, likely the largest in the Bay Area, nets 1,000 pounds of meth, 44 suspects". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 25 October 2021.