Former U.S. Attorneys Remain a Resource for the Offices They Once Led

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For many members of NAFUSA, service to the Department of Justice does not end
when a presidential commission expires. Many former U.S. Attorneys continue to stay
connected, either formally or informally, to the offices they once led, offering
encouragement, perspective, and practical support to the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who
carry forward the daily work of federal prosecution. NAFUSA members often remain
connected to their former districts by attending office events, participating in reunions,
speaking with new prosecutors, and making themselves available as informal sounding
boards. That members are doing this is no surprise. Since its inception, NAFUSA has
been rooted in personal relationships: the professional bonds formed inside U.S.
Attorney’s Offices, the respect for career prosecutors, and the shared understanding
that the strength of the federal justice system depends on the people who serve within
it.

Examples of NAFUSA members’ engagement with prosecutors in their former offices
include Peter Vaira, who started an organization for former AUSAs from the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania. The informal group invites AUSAs leaving office to join and
organizes and sponsors an annual cocktail party each year. The key function is to help
former AUSAs keep track of each other when they leave office and facilitate continued
relationships with former colleagues.

Also, NAFUSA board member Ken Weinstein shared a letter that former colleagues of
Bob Mueller from his time as an AUSA in the District of Columbia U.S. Attorney’s Office
Homicide Division drafted and posted on the website of the D.C. AUSA Association.
The letter is a morale booster and reinforces the importance of the work done by
AUSAs in that Division and how proud Mueller was of his service there.

Bob Mueller Letter

Robert B. Fiske Jr., Former U.S. Attorney and Whitewater Prosecutor, Dies at 94

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Robert (Bob) Bishop Fiske Jr., a longtime member of NAFUSA and respected trial lawyer, died on December 4, 2025, at his home in Darien, Connecticut. He was 94. Fiske served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (1976 –1980) and later became the first prosecutor appointed to investigate the Whitewater matter. During his long legal career, he was also known for his success as a white collar defense counsel.

Fiske’s career spanned public service and private practice at the highest levels of the
American legal profession. Known for his composure, independence, and courtroom
skill, he earned a reputation as a prosecutor who pursued difficult cases with discipline
and fairness.

Fiske graduated from Yale University and the University of Michigan Law School. He
began his legal career at Davis Polk & Wardwell in 1955 before joining the United
States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York as an Assistant U.S.
Attorney from 1957 to 1961. He returned to that firm between holding positions with the
federal government.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford appointed Fiske as U.S. Attorney for the Southern
District of New York. In that role, he personally tried major organized crime, drug
trafficking, and corruption cases. He also became a mentor and close friend to Elkan
Abramowitz, his criminal division chief, and to Mary Jo White, a future U.S. Attorney
who had worked under him. White praised both his legal skill and his clear sense of
“what the right thing to do is.” Fiske served as Chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory
Committee during his tenure as U.S. Attorney.

Among Fiske’s best-known victories was the prosecution of Harlem drug trafficker Nicky
Barnes, widely known as “Mr. Untouchable,” whose conviction followed earlier failed
efforts to hold him accountable. Fiske also helped secure convictions in other prominent
organized crime and corruption matters, reinforcing his reputation as a meticulous and
determined courtroom lawyer.

In 1994, Attorney General Janet Reno appointed Fiske special prosecutor to examine
matters connected to Whitewater, the failed Arkansas land venture involving Bill and
Hillary Clinton before Bill Clinton became president. Although his tenure in that role was
brief, his appointment drew praise across party lines because of his reputation for
integrity and nonpartisanship.

Among other accolades and leadership roles, Fiske was a president of the American
College of Trial Lawyers and the Federal Bar Council. He believed in the value of
government service and established the Fiske Fellowship at the University of Michigan
Law School to support Michigan Law graduates pursuing careers in public service.

The Federal Bar Council held a celebration in New York City on June 22, 2026,
honoring his 70-year legal career.

Fiske is survived by his wife, Janet Tinsley, whom he married in 1954, and their children
Linda Fiske, Robert Fiske III and Susan Williams; five grandsons and one great-
grandson.

Former U.S. Attorneys To Discuss State AG Leadership at NAFUSA Conference

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At the NAFUSA conference in October, a panel featuring state attorneys general who
previously served as United States Attorneys will offer a cross-jurisdictional look at how
prosecutorial experience at the federal level can shape leadership in statewide office.
The discussion will include Drew Wrigley of North Dakota, Russell Coleman of the
Eastern District of Kentucky, and Peter Neronha of Rhode Island, and will be moderated
by current NAFUSA president and Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway.

The panel reflects a broad focus on the evolving role of prosecutors and public-law
leaders. The 2026 NAFUSA conference will be held in St. Louis, Missouri from October 14 to 16, bringing together former U.S. Attorneys for programming on federal practice,
Department of Justice policies, and current issues in law enforcement and public
service. Hanaway’s role as moderator underscores both her leadership within NAFUSA
and her own background as former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri and
managing partner at Husch Blackwell before becoming Missouri’s Attorney General.

What is especially notable about this panel is the shared career path of the participants.
Each panelist has moved from the federal prosecutor’s office to the top legal post in a
state, giving the discussion a practical perspective on how experience with federal
investigations, interagency coordination, and courtroom advocacy translates into the
responsibilities of an elected or appointed state attorney general. With NAFUSA
President Hanaway guiding the discussion in her home state, the conversation should
illustrate the close professional ties that continue through NAFUSA long after public
service in federal office ends. It reflects how former U.S. Attorneys continue to shape
public policy and legal strategy from influential state offices and the enduring
connections of the federal prosecutorial community.

Golf Opportunity at the 2026 NAFUSA Conference

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NAFUSA 2026 Annual Conference attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a
memorable golf experience on Wednesday morning, October 14, 2026, prior to the
opening of the conference in St. Louis, Missouri this fall. NAFUSA has contracted with
The Courses at Forest Park for 24 slots in an 18-hole shotgun start tournament starting
at 7:30 a.m. on October 14 th. The Courses at Forest Park is a 27-hole golf facility
located in historic Forest Park just minutes from downtown St. Louis and 2.2 miles from the conference hotel – the Ritz Carlton. It is known for its scenic parkland setting and flexible course layouts and for providing an enjoyable experience for players of varying skill levels. Whether you are just looking to play a round, reconnect with colleagues, or make new connections in an informal setting, consider signing up for golf when conference registration opens later this summer.

Professor Andrea Katz to Speak at NAFUSA Conference

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Professor Andrea Katz, an Associate Professor of Law at the Washington University
School of Law in St. Louis, will present the annual Supreme Court review at NAFUSA’S
conference which will be held in St. Louis, Missouri on October 14-16. NAFUSA
conference attendees have come to expect a summary and analysis of recent Supreme
Court decisions presented by a highly qualified and interesting constitutional law expert,
and this year will be no different.

Professor Katz teaches and writes about constitutional law, with a particular focus on
presidential power, separation-of-powers theory, constitutionalism, and the development
of the modern administrative state. She received a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale
University and a J.D. from Yale University Law School. She also holds a B.A. in
Comparative Literature and a B.A. in Japanese from Yale. After law school, she clerked
at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France and later clerked for
Judge Michael A. Ponsor in the District of Massachusetts. In addition to being a visiting
researcher at universities in Rio de Janeiro, San Paulo and Tokyo, she was a Golieb
Fellow in Legal History at NYU Law School before joining the Washington University
faculty in fall 2020.

Her scholarship and public commentary have examined questions of executive authority
and constitutional history, making her a notable speaker for a conference focused on
legal and public policy issues. Her work has appeared in the Columbia Law Review, the
Texas Law Review, the Harvard Law Review Forum and the International Journal of
Constitutional Law. Professor Katz’s presentation at the NAFUSA conference will be on
Friday, October 16.

NAFUSA Board of Directors Mid-Year Meeting in Scottsdale

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AZ

Members of the NAFUSA Board of Directors gathered for its mid-year meeting on April
11, 2026, at the beautiful Mountain Shadows Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. The semi-
annual meeting brought together board members from across the country to review
organizational progress, discuss initiatives, and plan future activities. The setting in
Scottsdale provided an ideal backdrop for both productive sessions and informal
networking among the directors.

During the meeting, the Board addressed several important topics, including ongoing
planning for the 2026 Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO on October 14-16,
membership retention and growth, and upcoming events for the remainder of the year.
Committee reports included achievements on behalf of the NAFUSA Foundation to
provide scholarships for unpaid student interns and efforts to engage the Department of
Justice (EOUSA) with soliciting nominations for the 2026 Bradford Award. The Board
also discussed and voted on a slate of new directors and officers for the Class of 2029
which will be presented to the general membership at the conference in October for final
approval. The directors also reviewed financial reports and discussed budget priorities
to ensure the organization’s continued stability.

In addition to the formal agenda, the Scottsdale meeting offered opportunities for
directors to share insights and to get to know each other better in a social setting. The
Board is a very collegial group, committed to supporting NAFUSA and its members. If
you are interested in being a director in the future, please talk to a current board
member or the Executive Director for more information.

Interview with Johnny Sutton Featured in SEC Network Documentary

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NAFUSA member and former board member Johnny Sutton’s recollections of the memorable showdown between rival college baseball teams for the University of Texas and the University of Alabama were featured in the SEC Network’s documentary Summer of ‘83: Texas vs Tide. The documentary, which aired on April 15, revisited one of college baseball’s most memorable showdowns, spotlighting not just the rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide, but also the individuals who defined the series. Sutton was a player on the 1983 Texas Longhorns baseball team, and he is one of the people interviewed for the film reflecting on that memorable College World Series run.

Although Sutton may not have been one of the biggest stars and he didn’t pursue a career in the major leagues, like Roger Clemens, his story is part of the documentary’s narrative. Sutton played left field in the post season line-up and was named regional MVP as the Longhorns went on to win the college world series. The documentary captured pivotal moments both on and off the field, showcasing the team members during critical points in their journey to the College World Series and the determination that fueled their success. In the interviews featured in the documentary, Sutton reflected on the intensity of the matchup with Alabama, describing the pressure and excitement that surrounded the games.

Here is a link to the tralier:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1443684817251860

 

The Passing of Ralph B. Guy, Jr.: Remembering a Distinguished Legal Career

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Ralph B. Guy, Jr., a respected figure in the American legal community, former U.S.
Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, and founding member of NAFUSA, passed
away on April 20, 2026, at the age of 96. A 1953 graduate of the University of Michigan
Law School, Guy had a distinguished legal career in his home state of Michigan and
was known for his dedication to public service and commitment to justice. Guy served
as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan from 1970 to 1976, where he
played a pivotal role in prosecuting federal cases and upholding the law. His tenure was
marked by a steadfast pursuit of fairness and integrity in the legal system.

After his time as U.S. Attorney, Guy continued to serve the public with distinction. He
was appointed by President Gerald Ford as a United States District Judge for the
Eastern District of Michigan where he served from 1976 to 1985 and later appointed by
President Ronald Reagan to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
where he served from 1985 to 1994. He later served as a judge of the United States
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review from 1998 to 2006. Throughout his
career, he was recognized for his judicious temperament, keen legal insight, dry sense
of humor and unwavering professionalism. He placed great emphasis on and
participated in the education of law students and the improvement of lawyers’ legal
skills. He found time in his busy schedule to teach trial advocacy courses at the
University of Michigan Law School, the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and the
United States Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute. Colleagues and friends remember
him as a mentor and a trailblazer who set high standards for those who followed in his
footsteps.

Scott Brady Appointed Executive Director of White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud

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Scott Brady, NAFUSA member and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of
Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2021, has been named by Vice President Vance as
executive director of the newly established White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
In this new role, he will oversee efforts to detect, prevent, and prosecute fraud across
government agencies.

The White House Task Force was formed in response to increasing concerns about
fraudulent activities affecting government programs and public resources. As executive
director, Brady will coordinate with various federal departments, law enforcement
agencies, and external partners to develop comprehensive strategies aimed at
safeguarding taxpayer dollars and restoring trust in government operations.

Prior to his appointment as Executive Director, Brady was a partner at Jones Day from
2021 to 2023 and later served as the Chief Compliance Officer for Wabtec Corporation
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most recently he served as Special Counsel to the U. S.
Department of Health and Human Services.