Jay Clayton, the current U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has officially welcomed Sean Buckley as the new Deputy U.S. Attorney. Buckley returns to government service after working at the law firm Kobre & Kim since 2018, where he specialized in securities, criminal, and regulatory matters for a diverse range of clients.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Buckley brings nearly a decade of prior government experience with the Department of Justice, including serving as Co-Chief of the Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. In this role, he led complex investigations into terrorism financing, sanctions violations, and anti-money laundering cases across regions such as Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. His work during this period reflects a broad international scope and a multifaceted prosecutorial perspective. From 2009 to 2018, Buckley handled a wide range of national security and international criminal matters at the Southern District of New York.
Before his public service chapters, Buckley cultivated his legal skills at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, with his academic foundation laid at Princeton University, the University of Virginia Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and the University of Virginia School of Law, a melding of rigorous education and private sector experience informing his jurisprudential approach. His career is punctuated with commendations including the Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award and the Assistant Attorney General's Exceptional Service Award, affirming his merits.
"We are excited to welcome Sean Buckley back to the Office as the Deputy United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York,” said Clayton, in a press release, praising Buckley's "exceptional leadership and case-making skills," and also noted Buckley's widespread respect within the New York Bar, as he aligns with Amanda Houle and Jeff Oestricher, the composition of this leadership team embodying a formidable legal force that, according to Clayton, is set to promote professionalism and safeguard the welfare of New Yorkers, the significance of these endorsements and the strategic gathering of experienced professionals suggest a promising outlook for legal proceedings in New York’s Southern District.
