Loretta Lynch

Loretta Elizabeth Lynch is an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney General from 2015 to 2017. She was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate, becoming the first African‑American woman to hold the office. Prior to her cabinet role, Lynch had a long career in federal prosecution, most notably as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York on two separate occasions. After leaving government service she returned to private practice and has continued to work on high‑profile legal matters.

Early life and career

Lynch was born on May 21, 1959, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Her parents, Lorine Lynch, a school librarian, and Lorenzo Lynch, a Baptist minister, were both graduates of Shaw University. Growing up, she spent considerable time with her father in the Durham courthouse, where he would discuss court proceedings; these early experiences sparked an interest in law that was further nurtured by stories from her grandfather, a sharecropper and pastor who had helped people relocate to escape racial persecution during the Jim Crow era.

She attended the Governor’s School of North Carolina, a summer program for academically gifted high school students. Lynch earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and American literature from Harvard College in 1981, followed by a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1984. While at Harvard she was active in the Legal Aid Bureau and joined Delta Sigma Theta sorority, becoming a charter member of its Xi Tau chapter.

Lynch began her legal career as a litigation associate with Cahill Gordon & Reindel in New York City. In 1990 she entered the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, where she prosecuted drug and violent‑crime cases. From 1994 to 1998 she served as chief of the Long Island office, handling several political corruption investigations involving the government of Brookhaven, New York. The following year she became chief assistant U.S. Attorney and headed the Brooklyn office.

In 1999 President Bill Clinton nominated Lynch to be the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. During this term she oversaw the prosecution of New York City police officers in the Abner Louima case, a high‑profile incident involving alleged police misconduct. After leaving the federal prosecutor’s office in 2001, Lynch joined Hogan & Hartson (later Hogan Lovells) as a partner and remained there until January 20, 2010.

President Barack Obama nominated her again to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York in early 2010. While holding that position she served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from 2003 to 2005. In July 2014, following the death of Eric Garner—a man who died after a police officer applied a prohibited chokehold—Lynch met with Garner’s family to discuss potential federal prosecution of the officer believed responsible.

Her office prosecuted Republican congressman Michael Grimm and Democratic politicians Pedro Espada Jr. and William Boyland Jr. It also investigated Citigroup over mortgage securities sold by the bank, resulting in a $7 billion settlement, and was involved in a $1.2 billion settlement with HSBC related to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.

While serving as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Lynch supervised an investigation into senior FIFA officials that began at its earliest stages. The inquiry culminated in the indictment of fourteen senior FIFA officials and sports‑marketing executives shortly after she was confirmed as Attorney General. For her work on this case, which eventually led to the resignation of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, Lynch received the 3rd annual Golden Blazer award presented by NBC Sports’ Men in Blazers.

In December 2015 Robert Capers was confirmed by the Senate as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; he took his oath on January 4, 2016.

After leaving government service, Lynch joined Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in May 2019 as a partner in its litigation department. She represents individuals, companies, and corporate boards in high‑stakes cases, regulatory matters, and investigations. In December 2020 she was hired by the National Football League to investigate allegations of misconduct among owners of the Washington Football Team. In October 2024 she represented Chinese drone manufacturer DJI in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense, seeking removal from a list of designated “Chinese military companies.”

In 2017 Lynch received an honorary degree from Duke University.

Cabinet tenure

President Barack Obama nominated Lynch to succeed Eric Holder as Attorney General in November 2014. The Senate Judiciary Committee recommended her confirmation by a vote of 12–8; all Democrats on the committee and three Republicans voted in favor. In April 2015 the full Senate confirmed her with a 56–43 vote, making her the first African‑American woman to be confirmed for the position. She was sworn into office that month and served as Attorney General until January 2017.

During her tenure she continued to oversee federal prosecutions across the United States, including cases involving political corruption, corporate misconduct, and civil rights violations. Her leadership maintained the Department of Justice’s focus on enforcing federal law and protecting public safety while navigating a complex legal landscape marked by high‑profile investigations and litigation.

Legacy

Lynch’s career is distinguished by her pioneering role as the first African‑American woman confirmed as United States Attorney General. Prior to that, she had twice led the Eastern District of New York, where she managed significant prosecutions and investigations, such as the Abner Louima case, the Eric Garner family meeting, and high‑profile political corruption cases involving both Republican and Democratic figures.

Her work on the FIFA investigation set a precedent for international sports governance oversight by U.S. federal authorities, leading to indictments that contributed to the resignation of FIFA President Sepp Blatter. The investigations into Citigroup and HSBC underscored her office’s commitment to addressing financial misconduct at the highest levels.

After leaving public office, Lynch continued to influence legal practice through her partnership at Paul, Weiss, where she handles complex litigation and regulatory matters. Her involvement with the National Football League and representation of DJI in a federal lawsuit demonstrate an ongoing engagement with issues that intersect law, business, and national security.

Lynch’s contributions have been recognized by academic institutions, including an honorary degree from Duke University, and by professional organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta. Her career exemplifies sustained public service within the U.S. justice system and a continued impact on both federal prosecution and private legal practice.