In a move signaling a focus on both security and high-stakes legal battles, Manhattan’s U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton has appointed Sean Buckley, a seasoned terrorism prosecutor, as his new deputy.
Clayton, who previously chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission and now oversees the Southern District of New York’s renowned federal office, picked Buckley to bring his sharp expertise back to the forefront. The Manhattan office, known for tackling some of the nation’s most headline-grabbing cases—from financial crimes to terrorism—operates with a rare level of independence among federal prosecutors.
Buckley’s track record speaks volumes. Between 2009 and 2018, he led major terrorism and international narcotics prosecutions, including securing a conviction against a key Osama bin Laden lieutenant tied to the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa. He also prosecuted a Vietnamese national plotting a bombing at London’s Heathrow Airport.
“Sean Buckley commands deep respect across New York’s legal community,” Clayton said. “He embodies the professionalism and dedication to public safety that define our office.”
After stepping away from the U.S. Attorney’s office, Buckley took on high-profile defense work in private practice, including representing a former college financial aid startup executive convicted in a fraud case.
This appointment highlights Clayton’s intent to blend tough financial crime enforcement with a vigilant approach to national security, reinforcing Manhattan’s role as a legal powerhouse.
