Danielle Sassoon is a prominent American attorney known for her significant contributions to the legal field, particularly during her tenure as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY). Her career is marked by high-profile prosecutions and a steadfast commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1985 or 1986 to Salomon and Evelyn Sassoon in New York, Danielle Sassoon was raised in a family with a strong professional background; her father was a partner at the law firm Morrison Cohen, and her mother worked as a clinical research psychologist. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 2008, majoring in History and Literature. She then earned her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 2011, where she served as the Book Reviews and Features Editor of the Yale Law Journal and was a finalist and co-director of the Barristers’ Union Mock Trial.
Prestigious Clerkships
Following law school, Sassoon clerked for Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She subsequently served as a law clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia of the U.S. Supreme Court during the 2012-2013 term, an experience she later described as formative in honing her legal skills and understanding of the judiciary.
Professional Career
After her clerkships, Sassoon joined Kirkland & Ellis LLP as a litigation attorney. She also served as an adjunct professor at NYU Law School, teaching a Supreme Court seminar. In 2016, she transitioned to public service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the SDNY. In this role, she prosecuted a range of cases, including those involving violent and organized crime, securities and commodities fraud, and public corruption. Her dedication and effectiveness led to her appointment as Co-Chief of Criminal Appeals.
Notable Prosecutions
Sassoon played a pivotal role in several high-profile cases. She was part of the trial team that secured the sex trafficking conviction of Lawrence Ray, who was sentenced to 60 years in prison for exploiting his daughter’s college roommates. Additionally, she led the prosecution of Sam Bankman-Fried, the former cryptocurrency executive convicted of fraud and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Appointment as Acting U.S. Attorney
In January 2025, following the commencement of President Donald Trump’s second term, Sassoon was appointed as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the SDNY, pending the Senate confirmation of Jay Clayton. Her appointment placed her at the helm of one of the nation’s most prestigious federal prosecutor’s offices.
Resignation Over Ethical Stand
In February 2025, Sassoon resigned from her position after refusing to comply with a directive from the Justice Department to dismiss a corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. She asserted that dismissing the charges, which included allegations of accepting bribes from Turkish officials, would violate her duty to enforce the law impartially. Her resignation underscored her commitment to the independence of the judiciary and the ethical obligations of a prosecutor.
Personal Life
In November 2015, Danielle Sassoon married Adam Katz, an investment analyst. The couple met while attending Harvard University.
Legacy and Impact
Danielle Sassoon’s career exemplifies a dedication to justice and ethical integrity. Her willingness to uphold the rule of law, even at personal and professional cost, serves as a powerful example within the legal community. Her work continues to influence discussions on prosecutorial independence and the ethical responsibilities of legal practitioners.
