United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY, or S.D.N.Y.) is the chief federal law enforcement officer in eight New York counties: New York (Manhattan), Bronx, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess and Sullivan. Founded by President George Washington through the Judiciary Act of 1789, the office represents the United States government in criminal and civil cases across the country. The SDNY handles a broad array of cases, including but not limited to those involving white collar crime, domestic terrorism, cyber crime, public corruption, organized crime, and civil rights disputes.
The Southern District is known for being highly independent and nonpartisan, earning itself the moniker the "Sovereign District of New York." Its resources, culture, and accompanying FBI field office have given the SDNY a reputation for being exceptionally aggressive in their pursuit of criminals. Due to its jurisdiction over Manhattan, a financial center of the United States of America, the office’s incumbent is known to be the “Sheriff of Wall Street”.
Starting June 2020, Deputy Audrey Strauss served as Acting U.S. Attorney, with her term set to expire in mid-January 2021. On December 22, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, pursuant to , appointed Strauss as U.S. Attorney for an indeterminate term.
Organization.
The Office is organized into two divisions handling civil and criminal matters. The Southern District of New York also has two offices: first in Manhattan, and second in White Plains. The Office employs approximately 220 Assistant U.S. Attorneys.
List of U.S. Attorneys.
In 1814, the District of New York was divided into the Northern and the Southern District.
In popular culture.
Television.
The Showtime drama series "Billions" is loosely based on Preet Bharara's prosecution of SAC Capital and other hedge funds.
The ABC legal drama "For the People" depicts new defense attorneys and prosecutors working in the Southern District of New York.
The 2020 Netflix series "" documents the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Southern District of New York against the Five Families of the Italian American Mafia in the 1980s.