U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery has announced her resignation, effective January 17 at 11:59 p.m. Avery expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as U.S. Attorney, a position she was appointed to by President Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as United States Attorney, and I am profoundly appreciative of President Biden for trusting me to serve our nation and the people of Connecticut in this position,” said Ms. Avery. She praised her team’s dedication to justice and highlighted efforts that contributed to declining violent crime rates and opioid overdose deaths.
Avery took office on May 9, 2022, as the 54th U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Her leadership focused on prosecuting crimes such as gun violence, narcotics trafficking, child exploitation, financial frauds, public corruption, cybercrime, and national security issues. The Office also aggressively pursued health care fraud violators and recovered significant sums through forfeiture actions.
Under her guidance, community engagement was prioritized with initiatives like HEAT and Fed-Up programs aimed at reducing drug addiction and violent crime. Civil rights efforts were advanced through United Against Hate presentations across Connecticut.
Before becoming U.S. Attorney, Avery held roles including Associate Attorney General in Connecticut’s Office of the Attorney General and Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Civil Division in Connecticut from 2014 to 2019. Her legal career includes positions at McCarter & English LLP, U.S. Department of Justice's Commercial Litigation Branch, and Cummings & Lockwood LLC.
Marc H. Silverman will assume the role of Acting U.S. Attorney following Avery's departure. Silverman has been with the Office since 2010 and served in various capacities including First Assistant U.S. Attorney since May 2024.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is in excellent hands,” stated Ms. Avery regarding Silverman's succession.
The Office is responsible for enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut with approximately 68 Assistant U.S Attorneys based across New Haven, Hartford, and Bridgeport.
