Former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Partner at WilmerHale Preet Bharara Will Address Drexel Kline School of Law Graduates at Commencement
By Emily Storz
Preet Bharara, former United States attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), a renowned and highly regarded lawyer, who is currently a partner at the law firm WilmerHale, will address 2024 graduates of the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law at commencement on Friday, May 17, at the Kimmel Cultural Campus (300 S. Broad Street).
At 9 a.m. the law school will celebrate the class of 2024, which includes 186 graduates. The ceremony will celebrate 130 graduates who will receive a JD, 33 who will receive a Master of Legal Studies , 20 who will receive a Master of Laws and three who will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Law.
Dubbed “one of the most consequential prosecutors in American history” by The New Yorker, Bharara led some of the most significant criminal and civil litigations brought in the SDNY on behalf of the U.S, leaving an indelible impact on the office. He is widely recognized as one of the most effective and transformative U.S. attorneys to ever lead the SDNY and one of the most credible voices in law enforcement.
“Preet Bharara is a much-valued voice in the national dialogue for ethics and compliance, culture and diversity issues,” said Daniel M. Filler, JD, dean and professor of law. “His perspectives and experiences will be invaluable to our new graduates,”
In May 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Bharara to become the U.S. attorney for the SDNY, his nomination was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in August 2009. While serving as U.S. attorney from 2009 to 2017 — one of the longest-serving appointments in the history of the SDNY — he oversaw more than 200 assistant U.S. attorneys, who handled cases involving civil rights violations, cybercrime, domestic and international terrorism, financial fraud, gang violence, narcotics and arms trafficking, organized crime, and public corruption. With Bharara at the helm, the SDNY saw one of the most productive periods in its history. Before serving as U.S. attorney, Bharara was chief counsel to Sen. Charles Schumer, the current U.S. Senate majority leader.
During the ceremony, students will also hear remarks from Filler and Drexel President John Fry.