Sumit Choudhary
Danielle R. Sassoon, an American attorney with a distinguished career in law, recently resigned from her position as the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) in February 2025. Her resignation followed a directive from the Justice Department, under the Trump administration, to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a decision she opposed. This event has brought Sassoon into the national spotlight, highlighting her commitment to her principles and the independence of the justice system.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1985 or 1986 in New York City, Danielle Sassoon was raised in a family with a strong emphasis on education and intellectual pursuits. Her father, Salomon Sassoon, was a partner at the law firm Morrison Cohen, and her mother, Evelyn Sassoon, worked as a clinical research psychologist. Growing up in New York, she attended the Modern Ramaz School on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where she excelled academically, graduating at the top of her class. During high school, she dedicated significant time to studying the Talmud, which she credits as invaluable preparation for her legal studies.
Sassoon continued her education at Harvard College, where she graduated magna cum laude in 2008 with a degree in History and Literature. She then attended Yale Law School, earning her Juris Doctor in 2011. During her time at Yale, she distinguished herself as a finalist and co-director of the Barristers’ Union.
Early Career and Clerkships
Following law school, Sassoon gained valuable experience through clerkships with prominent judges. From July 2012 to August 2013, she served as a law clerk for Judge J. United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit’s Harvie Wilkinson III. She then clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia of the U.S. Supreme Court from July 2012 to August 2013. She considered Scalia “my kind of feminist,” noting that he pushed her to engage rigorously with her work and even taught her how to handle firearms, fostering resilience that she found essential for navigating a male-dominated profession.
Career as a Prosecutor
Sassoon began her career as an Assistant United States Attorney in the SDNY in 2016. She quickly made a name for herself by prosecuting complex cases of violent crime and securities fraud. She tried murder and racketeering cases while working in the Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Later, as a member of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, she investigated and prosecuted Samuel Bankman-Fried, the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, for a multi-billion-dollar fraud on customers of FTX.com. Her rigorous four-hour cross-examination of Bankman-Fried was praised for highlighting discrepancies between his public statements and private behavior, ultimately leading to his conviction and a 25-year prison sentence. She was also involved in the prosecution of Lawrence V. Ray for extortion and sex trafficking related to his exploitation of Sarah Lawrence College students, resulting in a 60-year prison sentence.
Her work as a prosecutor earned her several accolades, including the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Criminal Investigation in 2024 and the Women in Federal Law Enforcement Top Prosecutor Award in 2023.
Resignation as Acting U.S. Attorney
Sassoon was named acting U.S. president by President Donald Trump in January 2025. Attorney for the SDNY, pending the Senate confirmation of Jay Clayton. As the acting U.S. Attorney, Sassoon was the chief federal law enforcement officer for the district, overseeing the investigation and prosecution of all federal crimes and the litigation of all civil matters in which the United States had an interest. She led a staff of approximately 450 lawyers, special agents, paralegals, and other support professionals
However, her tenure was short-lived. In February 2025, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove instructed Sassoon to dismiss the federal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, purportedly to allow Adams to focus on immigration enforcement. Sassoon, believing the directive to be politically motivated, refused to comply. On February 12, 2025, she sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi stating her intent to resign if forced to drop the charges. The following day, Bove accepted Sassoon’s resignation.
Personal Life
Danielle Sassoon married Adam Katz, an investment analyst, on November 28, 2015. They met while attending Harvard University.
Conclusion
Danielle Sassoon’s career is marked by a commitment to justice and integrity. Her decision to resign as acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in protest of political interference demonstrates her dedication to upholding the principles of the legal system. Her background, education, and experience as a prosecutor have prepared her for the challenges she has faced, and her actions have solidified her reputation as a principled and accomplished attorney.
Vikram
