Danielle Renee Sassoon is an American attorney who briefly served as the acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) from January 21, 2025, to February 13, 2025. She was appointed by President Donald Trump but made headlines when she resigned rather than comply with an order to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Sassoon’s resignation, along with several other legal officials, was widely seen as an act of protest against political interference in the justice system. Before her tenure as acting U.S. Attorney, she had a distinguished career as a federal prosecutor, most notably securing convictions in high-profile cases, including those of crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried and sex trafficker Lawrence V. Ray.
In this article, we will explore Danielle Sassoon’s net worth, career, education, personal life, physical appearance, and lesser-known facts.
Danielle Sassoon Short Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Danielle Renee Sassoon |
| Profession | Attorney, Former Acting U.S. Attorney |
| Hometown | New York City, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 1986 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 39 years old |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Weight | 58 kg (128 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Zodiac Sign | Not Available |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Adam Katz (Married in 2015) |
| Education | Harvard University (B.A.), Yale Law School (J.D.) |
| Net Worth (2025) | $3 – $5 million (Estimated) |
Early Life and Education
Danielle Sassoon was born in 1986 in New York City to Salomon and Evelyn Sassoon. She comes from a family with a strong legal and academic background.
- Her father, Salomon Sassoon, was a partner at Morrison Cohen, a prominent law firm.
- Her mother, Evelyn Sassoon, was a clinical and research psychologist.
Academic Achievements
- Sassoon attended The Ramaz School, a Modern Orthodox Jewish institution on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
- She studied Talmud, which she later credited as valuable preparation for her future career in law.
- Graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 2008.
- Earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Yale Law School in 2011.
Clerkships
- Served as a law clerk for Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (2011-2012).
- Clerked for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia (2012-2013), one of the most influential conservative justices in history.
Legal Career
Private Practice & Early Career
- After her clerkships, Sassoon joined Kirkland & Ellis, a top corporate litigation law firm in New York.
Southern District of New York (SDNY)
- In 2016, she was recruited by then-U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara to join the Southern District of New York (SDNY).
- Throughout her tenure at SDNY, she prosecuted major fraud, corruption, and sex trafficking cases.
Notable Prosecutions
- Lawrence V. Ray Case (2022)
- Secured a 60-year sentence for Ray, who was convicted of extortion and sex trafficking of students at Sarah Lawrence College.
- Sam Bankman-Fried Case (2023)
- Led the prosecution against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.
- Successfully obtained a 25-year sentence for fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.
Appointment as Acting U.S. Attorney
- On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump appointed Sassoon as the acting U.S. Attorney for SDNY, making her one of the most powerful federal prosecutors in the country.
- She was expected to serve until Jay Clayton (Trump’s nominee) was confirmed by the Senate.
Resignation & Political Controversy
In February 2025, Sassoon was ordered by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove to drop federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The justification given was that Adams would be better able to support Trump’s immigration crackdown if the charges were dismissed.
Sassoon’s Resignation Letter
- On February 12, 2025, Sassoon sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, stating that dismissing charges for political reasons was unethical.
- She resigned on February 13, 2025, rather than comply with the order.
Aftermath
- Five other federal prosecutors resigned in protest.
- President Trump denied involvement, but later claimed, “That U.S. attorney was fired.”
- The Justice Department launched an internal investigation into the case.
- Public outcry followed, with legal experts calling it a threat to the independence of the judiciary.
Personal Life
Danielle Sassoon is married to Adam Katz, an investment analyst. They met while attending Harvard University and got married on November 28, 2015.
Family Table
| Family Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Salomon Sassoon | Father (Attorney at Morrison Cohen) |
| Evelyn Sassoon | Mother (Psychologist) |
| Adam Katz | Husband (Investment Analyst) |
Physical Appearance
Danielle Sassoon is known for her professional and polished look. She has dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a confident demeanor.
Physical Attributes Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Weight | 58 kg (128 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Tattoos | No |
| Piercings | No |
| Distinguishing Features | Elegant & professional appearance |
Danielle Sassoon Net Worth & Income Sources
As a high-ranking federal prosecutor and private attorney, Sassoon has earned a comfortable income over the years.
Estimated Net Worth (2025)
💰 $3 – $5 million
Primary Sources of Income
- Government Salary – As an SDNY prosecutor and later as Acting U.S. Attorney.
- Private Practice – Former litigation associate at Kirkland & Ellis.
- Speaking Engagements – Expected to speak at legal conferences and universities.
| Income Source | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| Government Salary | $200,000+ per year |
| Private Law Firm Work | $500,000+ per year (previous) |
| Speaking Engagements | $50,000+ annually |
| Total Net Worth (2025) | $3 – $5 million |
Lesser-Known Facts About Danielle Sassoon
- She was a Federalist Society member, a key conservative legal group.
- She studied the Talmud, which influenced her analytical skills.
- Her resignation was one of the most public legal protests against political interference.
- She once clerked for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
- She prosecuted major fraud and sex trafficking cases.
- She has strong ties to elite legal circles due to her Harvard and Yale background.
- She may transition to private practice or academia after her resignation.
FAQs About Danielle Sassoon
Q: Why did Danielle Sassoon resign?
A: She resigned in protest after being ordered to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Q: What is Danielle Sassoon’s net worth?
A: Estimated $3 – $5 million as of 2025.
Q: Who is Danielle Sassoon’s husband?
A: Adam Katz, an investment analyst.
Conclusion
Danielle Sassoon is a respected legal professional who stood by her ethical principles. Her decision to resign rather than comply with political interference has made her a symbol of judicial integrity in 2025.
NOTE: This article is based on publicly available information and is for informational purposes only.
