U.S. Attorney Mark Lapointe resigns

 Here is his statement:

For the past two years, I have served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. After much reflection, I write to announce my resignation from this position, effective January 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

 

It has been an honor and privilege to serve as United States Attorney. I have strived to meet the responsibilities of this position with vigor, determination, commitment, thoughtfulness, and humility.

 

Those familiar with my personal history may recall that I am a native of Haiti, a country whose government struggles to perform basic functions, and where the rule of law has yet to build reliable traction. When I immigrated to this country in my teens, I lived in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood, then an urban area with high crime and associated problems. Given where I started, it has been uniquely meaningful to hold a role so central to the Department of Justice’s mission of supporting our collective well-being through the exercise of the rule of law. 

 

Also meaningful has been working alongside the talented lawyers and professional staff of the United States Attorney’s Office, as well as with the agents and employees of our partner federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. These honorable public servants meet the challenges of safeguarding our homeland, local communities, and government institutions selflessly and without fanfare, at times at significant personal costs. I have never stopped being inspired by them and always will cherish my time as part of this deeply noble undertaking. To them, I extend my utmost gratitude and admiration.

 

I would not have had this life-changing experience without the support of President Joseph R. Biden, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Rick Scott, and countless leaders from our community. To all of them, thank you for trusting me to fulfill the duties of United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

 

With gratitude,

 

 

Markenzy Lapointe

A new year

Welcome 2025.

Everyone is now back at work and ready to go!

Here's some news to get you going:

1.    The great Maedon Clark has retired after 48 years.  48!!  Truly incredible.  Everyone wishes Maedon the best and she was the absolute best.

2.    Joan Silverstein, who has run the U.S. Attorney's Office for as long as I can remember, has left the office and has entered private practice at Gelber Schachter & Greenberg.

3.    The Special Counsel's Office has withdrawn from the Trump documents appeal in the 11th Circuit.  It already dismissed against Trump after the election, but the case is still pending against the co-defendants.  Who will prosecute the case and handle the appeal now that Jack Smith is out.  Well, Markenzy Lapointe has entered an appearance himself in the 11th Circuit.  And he won't be around much longer with the change in administration.  So it's unclear what will happen with that government appeal.

4.    Chief Justice Roberts issued his year end report.  It was all about judicial independence and threats to the judiciary.  It ends this way:

The federal courts must do their part to preserve the public’s confidence in our institutions. We judges must stay in our assigned areas of responsibility and do our level best to handle those responsibilities fairly. We do so by confining ourselves to live “cases or controversies” and maintaining a healthy respect for the work of elected officials on behalf of the people they represent. I am confident that the judges in Article III and the corresponding officials in the other branches will faithfully discharge their duties with an eye toward achieving the “successful cooperation” essential to our Nation’s continued success. Photo credits:  Page 1, Sallie Dixon, used by permission. As always, I am privileged and honored to thank all the judges, court staff, and other judicial branch personnel throughout the Nation for their commitment to upholding judicial independence and the rule of law through their outstanding public service. Best wishes to all in the New Year. 

5.  Finally, congratulations to Judge Embry Kidd, who was sworn in to the Eleventh Circuit.  Pictured below with Judge Charles Wilson, swearing him in: