Kelly Thornton (619) 546-9726 or Cindy Cipriani (619) 546-9608
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - Jan. 16, 2019
SAN DIEGO - Robert S. Brewer, Jr., a decorated Vietnam War veteran, former prosecutor and prominent San Diego litigator for decades, was sworn in today as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz.
Mr. Brewer took the oath of office in federal court this morning before an audience that included family members, lifelong friends, members of the legal community, judges and staff from the court and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. As the United States Attorney, Mr. Brewer is the chief federal law enforcement officer responsible for prosecuting and defending the interests of the United States in one of the busiest judicial districts in the nation.
“It is one of my life’s great honors to serve as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California," Mr. Brewer said in a statement. “I am committed to fairness, equality, justice and above all the rule of law. I will draw on my valuable life experiences to uphold these principles and protect our community and our border. It will be a privilege to work with the skillful and dedicated attorneys and staff in the office. I also want to highly commend Adam Braverman who served as U.S. Attorney for the past 14 months and Alana Robinson who served as U.S. Attorney from January to November 2017. Both served with distinction and brought great credit to the office."
President Trump nominated Mr. Brewer to serve as U.S. Attorney for this district on June 25, 2018, upon the recommendation of U.S. Senators Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein. The full Senate unanimously confirmed his appointment on Jan. 2, 2019.
During today’s swearing in, Judge Moskowitz noted Mr. Brewer’s many contributions to his country and community - from heroic actions as a combat veteran in Vietnam to volunteer work for the American Red Cross, the San Diego Humane Society and Canine Companions for Independence.
He also praised Mr. Brewer’s legal accomplishments. “I’ve known Bob Brewer for 33 years," Judge Moskowitz said. “He is one of the five best lawyers I have ever met."
Until recently, Mr. Brewer, a native of Ithaca, New York, was a litigation attorney at Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek. He previously served as a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles County from 1975 to 1977, and as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California from 1977 to 1982, where he successfully prosecuted a variety of cases including espionage, bank robbery, murder for hire and aircraft hijacking. He also held various management positions, including Assistant Chief of the Criminal Division. He received the Attorney General’s Commendation Award in 1981.
From 1982 through the present, Mr. Brewer has been in private practice, including from 1991 to 2009 as a partner at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, and from 2009 to 2014 as a partner at Jones Day. Before attending law school, Mr. Brewer served in the United States Army as an Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer and received the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for his combat service in the Vietnam War. Mr. Brewer has been a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers since 1999. He received the Daniel T. Broderick Award from the San Diego County Bar Association in 2009 and the Distinguished Graduate Award from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2016. Mr. Brewer earned his B.A. from St. Lawrence University, and his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law.
Brewer is married to retired U.S. District Judge Irma Gonzalez, the nation’s first Mexican-American female federal judge.
Because of the lapse in appropriations, information about possible media availability will be provided at the conclusion of the government shutdown.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
