Michael Johns Dies, 67

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Michael A. Johns passed away on January 13, 2017, in Phoenix. Mike served as the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona from 1997-1998, and spent his entire professional career in the United States Attorney’s Office. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Susan; and their children, Kevin, Emily Jagodzinski and Ryan; and two grandchildren, Aiden and Allie Jagodzinski. A funeral mass will be held Friday, January 27, 2017, at 11 am at St Paul’s Catholic Church in Phoenix with a Celebration of Life service at noon in the church hall. As is our custom, an American flag was flown over Main Justice at NAFUSA’s request and will be present to Mike’s family by his friend, NAFUSA member Jose de Jesus Rivera.

George Beall Dies, 79

George Beall, with AG Elliot Richardson in 1973 (Mike Lien/The New York Times)

George Beall, with AG Elliot Richardson in 1973 (Mike Lien/The New York Times)

NAFUSA life member George Beall, 79, died on Sunday in Naples Florida. Beall was best known for his prosecution of Vice President Spiro Agnew, which led to Agnew’s resignation in 1973. Beall served as the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland (1970-1975).

Beall graduated from Princeton University and the University of Virginia School of Law. He clerked for Chief Judge Simon E. Sobeloff of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. After his government service, he was a partner at the law firm of Hogan Lovells until his retirement several years ago.

Beale is survived by his wife Carolyn Campbell; a daughter, Rebecca Beall DiSabato; two step-sons, James C. Alban IV and Nicholas Guy Alban; a step-daughter, Tobey Frederick; 16 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Click here to read the New York Times obituary

As is our custom, NAFUSA will arrange to have an American flag flown over Main Justice in George’s honor and presented to the family as a token of the appreciation in which he was held by his colleagues.

Zane Memeger Rejoins Morgan Lewis and Joins NAFUSA

Zane David Memeger

Earlier this month, Morgan Lewis announced that Zane David Memeger—who recently concluded nearly seven years of service as the United States attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania—is returning to the firm as a litigation partner.

Memeger was a partner at Morgan Lewis from 2006 to 2010, before his confirmation as President Barack Obama’s appointee to the US attorney’s post. He began his legal career as a litigation associate with Morgan Lewis before becoming an assistant US attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a position he held from 1995 to 2006.

“I am enormously pleased that Zane is rejoining our firm following his distinguished career in public service,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “Zane’s profound commitment to justice and his extraordinary talents as a litigator will serve our firm and our clients well.”

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Vaira Publishes “Wish List”

On January 13, 2017, The Legal Intelligencer in Philadelphia published Peter Vaira’s “A Wish List for Lawyers and Judges” –VAIRA Legal Intelligencer (01.17.17) A 2017 Wish List for Lawyers and Judges.

Vaira’s list includes:

  • That the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee or the Department of Justice modify the Jencks Act and will require the disclosure of government witness statements at least 60 days before a trial.
  • That Congress reduce the size and budget of the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The Supreme Court has ruled that the Sentencing Commission’s guidelines are only advisory.
  • That the defense bar propose to the federal courts, and the federal judges apply, the alternative sentencing guidelines published by the ABA Criminal Justice Section Task Force on Economic Crimes, Nov 10, 2014.

Grissom Appointed to NAFUSA Board

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NAFUSA President Bart Daniel announced that B. Todd Jones has resigned from the NAFUSA Board of Directors and that the Board has named Barry Grissom (Kansas, 2010-2016) to fill the vacancy in the class of 2018.

Grissom stepped down in April of 2016 as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas and joined Polsinelli’s national White Collar Defense and Government Investigations and Compliance – Civil and Criminal Practice. Grissom is a shareholder in its Kansas City headquarters office.

Grissom served on the Attorney’s General Advisory Committee (AGAC). As a member of the AGAC, Grissom contributed to efforts to reform the federal criminal justice system through the Smart on Crime initiative. He also served on several sub-committees, including Financial Fraud, Health Care Fraud Prevention & Enforcement Team, Terrorism & National Security (Cyber), Native American Issues and Civil Rights.

Prior to his work as U.S. Attorney, Grissom was in private practice law for 27 years in both state and federal court, with involvement at every level of complex government litigation matters.

Grissom earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kansas before obtaining his law degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law.

 

US Attorneys Told They Can Stay Past Inauguration Day

Politico reported last last evening that Trump will allow U.S. attorneys to stay past Friday

President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has told chief federal prosecutors around the country that they can stay on for some time past Inauguration Day, a Justice Department spokesman said Tuesday night.

“Currently serving U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals were informed today that they are able to stay in place after January 20th while the process for identifying and confirming successors is further determined,” Justice spokesman Wyn Hornbuckle said.

The Justice Department also announced that while Attorney General Loretta Lynch will leave her post on Friday, Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates has agreed to serve as Acting Attorney General until a successor has been confirmed by the Senate.

David Hickton Appointed Founding Director of Pitt Cyber Institute

David Hickton

David Hickton

NAFUSA’s newest member, David J. Hickton, former United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, has been appointed founding director of the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy and Security.

“With the appointment of David Hickton, the University of Pittsburgh is poised to offer significant contributions to the national discussion on cyber-related issues affecting personal, national, and global security and privacy,” said Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher.

“David Hickton will marshal Pitt’s extensive capabilities and assemble a group of leading thinkers in this emerging field who will enrich Pitt’s learning and research environment,” said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Patricia E. Beeson. “We have an array of very talented and motivated faculty working in areas of cyber law, policy, security, and technology, and we believe the institute and the record of accomplishment David brings will offer opportunity for a vital synergy.”

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Some Questions for Sessions

AMI Don Stern photo

Don Stern

In today’s Boston Globe, NAFUSA member Don Stern posts Some questions for Sessions. The confirmation for Senator Sessions is scheduled to begin today before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Stern suggests some questions the Committee should ask and the answers he believes would be the appropriate responses.

Stern writes,

…the core role of the attorney general — as the nation’s highest-ranking lawyer and prosecutor, and as the protector of the integrity of the Department of Justice — should not be ignored. This means that the attorney general must ensure that the Justice Department remains free of politics, insists on the highest ethical standards, and makes decisions based soley on the facts and the law. While the attorney general is appointed by the president, he or she is not the president’s lawyer.

Henry Oncken Dies

Henry Oncken

Henry Oncken, who served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, 1985-1990, passed away on December 21, 2016.  He attended the University of Houston and received his JD from the Bates College of Law. His career began at Humble Oil (Exxon) and then with the District Attorney’s Office. He served as a Harris County District Court Judge before his appointment in 1985 as  U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. In retirement, Henry worked as a visiting judge in the Harris County Criminal Courts. He loved the outdoors and looked forward to spending each hunting season with his friends and family.

He is survived by his wife Jackie, daughter Leah, son-in-law Jon, grandchildren Nathan and Ava and brothers Bill and Gary. 

A Celebration of Life was held on December 28, 2016 in Houston, Texas. After the service, a reception will be held at the church followed by the gravesite service. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to The Gladney Center, 6300 John Ryan Drive, Ft. Worth, Texas 76132.

As is our custom,  NAFUSA has arranged for an American flag to be flown over Main Justice in Henry’s honor and it will be presented to his family as a token of the high regard with which he was held by his colleagues.