President Biden announces SUNY Fredonia alumna Trini Ross as nominee to serve as U.S. Attorney
SUNY Fredonia alumna Trini Ross, '88.
President Joseph Biden has announced eight nominees to serve as U.S. Attorneys across the country, including State University of New York at Fredonia alumna Trini E. Ross as the U.S. Attorney nominee for the Western District of New York.
In making the announcement, the White House noted, “These individuals—many of whom are historic firsts—were chosen for their devotion to enforcing the law, their professionalism, their experience and credentials in this field, their dedication to pursuing equal justice for all, and their commitment to the independence of the Department of Justice.”
If confirmed, Ms. Ross would be the first female African American to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York.
Ms. Ross has served as the Director of Investigations, Legal Division, with the National Science Foundation’s Office of Inspector General since 2018. She has also been an adjunct professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law since 2006. From 1995 to 2018, Ms. Ross was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of New York, where she served as the Senior Litigation Counsel and the Chief of the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Section from 2012 to 2017. She also served as an Assistant Counsel with the Department of Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility from 2007 to 2009. Ms. Ross was previously a civil litigation associate at Hiscock & Barclay, LLC from 1994 to 1995, and served as an Appellate Court Attorney for the New York State Supreme Court from 1992 to 1994. Ms. Ross received her J.D., cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law in 1992, her M.A. from Rutgers University in 1990, and her B.A. in Sociology from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 1988.
“SUNY Fredonia is incredibly proud of Trini Ross,” said SUNY Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. “Her journey to this nomination is a shining example of how SUNY Fredonia prepares students for success. We look forward to seeing Ms. Ross fill this important role in the Western New York community.”
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer released a statement in response to the announcement: “Trini Ross is the consummate Western New Yorker. As a product of local public schools — from Hutch Tech, to Fredonia, to UB Law — Trini Ross rose to become one of the most respected attorneys in Buffalo. I was proud to recommend her for this position, knowing that she will continue her commitment to the highest standards of legal professionalism as the newest United States Attorney. I look forward to moving her nomination through the Senate.”
U.S. Representative Brian Higgins (NY-26) also released a statement applauding President Biden’s nomination of Ross: “President Biden has made a wise choice with the selection of Trini Ross, an experienced attorney and Western New York native, as his nominee for U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York State, based in Buffalo. Ms. Ross is not only well-qualified, but her nomination is historic as the first Black female to be nominated for this office.”
