Philip R. Sellinger, United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey has named Indian American Vikas Khanna as the First Assistant US Attorney. He is part of a team announced earlier this week, including 13 women and people “of diverse backgrounds,” according to a Department of Justice press release.
Khanna’s appointment marks his return to the office from the private sector, where he worked as a partner at an international law firm in New York. The brother of US Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) served as the state’s Assistant United States Attorney for nine years before joining the private sector. During that time, he handled some of the office’s “most significant prosecutions of individuals and corporations,” the DOJ said.
“I am thrilled to welcome Vikas back to the Office as First Assistant US Attorney,” US Attorney Sellinger said. “Vikas is a highly respected alumnus of our Office, celebrated by AUSAs, the defense bar, and members of the judiciary for his exceptional intellect and judgment. I am confident he will be an extraordinary leader of the Office, and I look forward to working together to advance the cause of justice for the people of New Jersey.”
