In "What I Wish I Knew Then: Danielle Sassoon" (New York Law Journal, January XX, 2026), Danielle Sasson, former interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York discusses the lessons learned in her career, the unexpected challenges, and the importance of knowing your own values and boundaries professionally, with Pollock Cohen partner Steve Cohen and legal analyst Julia Levi.
In February 2025, Sassoon resigned as U.S. Attorney after being ordered by the DOJ to dismiss charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. She notes, "In the Eric Adams situation, the decision was clear. When I left my job in February, a lot of people expressed sadness for me that I lost a great job. But I don’t see it that way. I was presented with a challenge, learned how I would confront a difficult situation, and was able to set an example for other lawyers, and that was its own kind of professional growth experience."
Her guidance on unexpected paths in one's career: "I’ve learned over time that careers are long and multi-chaptered. If you are open to different opportunities and prepared for your professional journey to go in unexpected directions, your career can be even more fulfilling than what you predicted at the outset."
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