BUFFALO, N.Y. — President Joseph Biden on Monday announced his nominee to become the next U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York.
If confirmed by Congress, Trini E. Ross, a graduate of SUNY Fredonia and UB Law School, will become the first African-American female to serve in the position.
Ross has served as the Director of Investigations, Legal Division, with the National Science Foundation's Office of the Inspector General since 2018. She's also been an adjunct professor at UB Law School since 2006.
Ross was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District from 2012 through 2017. While there, she served as the senior litigation counsel and the chief of the anti-fraud and corruption section.
Ross would replace current U.S. Attorney JP Kennedy, who has served in the post since October, 2016. 2 On Your Side has reached out to Kennedy for comment.
The Western District of New York includes 17 counties: Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Yates, Steuben, Schuyler and Chemung.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) issued the following statement in regards to the nomination:
“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.”
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer released the following statement on Monday:
"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."
