Don and "First Lady" Erica Stern at the DC conference

I would like to wish each of you a belated happy New Year. While we all have our hopes for this coming year (maybe less snow if you live in the South or more snow if you live in the West), my expectation for NAFUSA is really more of the same.

We continue to enjoy the warm collegiality and personal relationships that stem from our common professional history but which grow each year. We share a deep respect for the position and role of the United States Attorney and the Department of Justice. We support the laws and the Constitution of the United States, not just because we took an oath to do so, but because we know that the rule of law serves to advance and protect our rights and our nation. We share a common desire to not let our political differences interfere with our willingness to engage in rational discourse and debate. In short, we are a welcome oasis in this era of partisan gridlock and sound bites.

All of these qualities were on full display in our annual conference last Fall in Washington, D.C. Jay Stephens steady leadership culminated in what may have been our best ever conference. The programs were substantive and varied, with fantastic panelists. (How could we ever top a panel on the Supreme Court with Ted Olson and Carter Phillips, moderated by Pete Williams?)

The day of golf yielded the usual laughs and slices. The food and drinks from the scenic Jones Day rooftop was plentiful. Our "Day at Justice" with DOJ leadership was informative and inspiring. And, the boat ride benefited from great weather and my grandson taking his turn at the wheel.

Of course, the annual conference and the success of our organization were made possible because of the terrific work of our Executive Director Rich Rossman. We owe Rich (and Patty Rossman) our thanks for a job very well done.

We have begun planning for our next annual conference in Boston, October  9-11, 2014. It will be at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, a beautiful and old hotel in Back Bay which has undergone a major renovation. You will love its grandeur and location.

I am very much looking forward to welcoming you to Boston. Our city has gone through highs and lows over the past year. Indeed, the hotel is a block from the Marathon bombing sites and a mile or so from Fenway Park, the home of the World Champion Red Sox. In both instances, the strong spirit and grit of the people of Boston has helped us through this period. I know you will enjoy visiting this wonderful, walkable, and historic city. Indeed, since we are meeting over Columbus Day Weekend, you might consider planning a few extra days to see the Fall foliage in New England.

Donald K. Stern

In a video message released on February 10, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that, due to the budget agreement approved by Congress last month, the Justice Department is able to lift the hiring freeze that has been in place for just over three years.

In his message, Holder said:

In recent years, federal employees have been asked to contend with sharp budget cuts, sequestration, and the personal hardships imposed by a government shutdown.  Here at the Department of Justice, these conditions have strained our capacity.  And they've compelled us to take extraordinary measures just to make ends meet - including a hiring freeze that I was forced to institute in 2011, and which has resulted in the loss of more than 4,000 employees.

 

These losses have been acutely felt.  But finally, after years of uncertainty, Congress recently passed - and the President signed - a bipartisan budget agreement that allowed our appropriators to restore Justice Department funding to pre-sequestration levels - and even adds funding for key priorities.  As a result of this budget agreement, effective immediately, the Department will lift the hiring freeze that's been in place for just over three years.  After years of doing more with less, we will begin to fill critical vacancies.  And we will resume the normal hiring process for federal agents, prosecutors, analysts and the other staff we need to fulfill our mission.  These added resources will help us carry out our critical law enforcement responsibilities and improve public safety.

On January 28, 2014, the Attorney General announced the appointment of eight U.S. Attorneys to serve two-year terms on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee (AGAC). The new members are: Andr� Birotte Jr., Central District of California; Thomas E. Delahanty II, District of Maine; Zachary T. Fardon, Northern District of Illinois; Wifredo A. Ferrer, Southern District of Florida; Kerry B. Harvey, Eastern District of Kentucky; Zane D. Memeger, Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Tim Q. Purdon, District of North Dakota; and Sarah R. Salda�a, Northern District of Texas.

The following eight U.S. Attorneys have completed their two-year terms and are rotating off the committee: Laura E. Duffy, Southern District of California; Timothy J. Heaphy, Western District of Virginia; Brendan V. Johnson, District of South Dakota; Pamela C. Marsh, Northern District of Florida; Carmen M. Ortiz, District of Massachusetts; Robert L. Pitman, Western District of Texas; James Santelle, Eastern District of Wisconsin; Carter M. Stewart, Southern District of Ohio.

Loretta E. Lynch, Eastern District of New York, continues as the chair of the AGAC and Sally Quillian Yates, Northern District of Georgia, continues as the vice chair.

Click here to read the Department's press release which contains a brief bio of the new appointees.

Jim Cissell at the NAFUSA DC Conference

The Eighth Edition of Federal Criminal Trials by NAFUSA Past President, and life member, Judge James Cissell has just been released by LexisNexis.  This is the volume which we were initially introduced to as US Attorneys.  It is a starting point for research and a fast in-trial resource.  It covers constitutional protections, federal criminal procedure and the federal rules of evidence with straightforward language.

NAFUSA member Joe Whitley wrote the Foreword to the Eighth Edition and states that Federal Criminal Trials "takes the highly complex and indecipherable and makes it accessible and understandable to all who choose to enter into the trial of a criminal case."

Lexis is offering a 20% discount to NAFUSA members.  The discount is available at 800 833 9844 or go to Federal Criminal Trials  with the promotion code NAFUSA20.   List price is $230.00.