MARKENZY LAPOINTE: First Haitianborn U.S. attorney is latest appointed by Biden to resign ahead of pending inauguration. PHOTO COURTESY U.S. ATTORNEY OFFICE FOR FLORIDA SOUTHERN DISTRICT

Miami – U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe has announced his resignation effective before President-elect Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

Lapointe, the first Haitian-born U.S. attorney who was raised in Liberty City, said it has been an honor and privilege to serve as United States Attorney.

"I have strived to meet the responsibilities of this position with vigor, determination, commitment, thoughtfulness, and humility," he said in a statement.

Lapointe, who was nominated by President Biden in 2022, went from growing up in a poverty-laden neighborhood that was a hotbed of violence, to prosecuting high profile cases as the U.S. attorney.

"Those familiar with my personal history may recall that I am a native of Haiti, a country whose government struggles to perform basic functions, and where the rule of law has yet to build reliable traction," Lapointe said, "When I immigrated to this country in my teens, I lived in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood, then an urban area with high crime and associated problems. Given where I started, it has been uniquely meaningful to hold a role so central to the Department of Justice’s mission of supporting our collective well-being through the exercise of the rule of law."

As the top federal prosecutor, Lapointe oversaw 500 attorneys and support professionals tasked with investigating and prosecuting federal crimes in South Florida and litigating civil matters.

His prosecutors handled Trump’s classified documents case and that of Ryan Wesley Roth, who’s accused in the attempt on Trump’s life at his golf course near West Palm Beach.

The Southern District covers nine counties, from Indian River south to Monroe County, with branch offices in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Fort Pierce.

Prior to his appointment, Lapointe was a partner in the Miami office of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, where he handled commercial, high exposure product liability, professional malpractice and criminal investigation matters.

Lapointe, who earned his law degree from Florida State University’s College of Law, also co-chaired the law firm’s Advancement of Diverse Attorneys Committee, promoting the retention and advancement of attorneys from diverse backgrounds.

Lapointe, who was a Marine Gulf War veteran, commenced his legal career with the Florida Supreme Court, where he served as a law clerk to the Hon. Harry Lee Anstead from 1999 to 2001.

He went on to serve as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 2002 to 2006, handling federal criminal matters that ranged from narcotics and firearms crimes to bank and mortgage fraud. Lapointe worked as a litigation associate, and later partner, for the Miami office of Boies Schiller Flexner LLP from 2006 to 2017.

After that, he joined Pillsbury as a partner.

Throughout his career, Lapointe has maintained a notable pro bono practice.

He received the Legal Aid/Put Something Back Pro Bono Award in Child Advocacy and the Daily Business Review’s Most Effective Lawyer Award for Pro Bono in Family Law.

But being a U.S. attorney was the pinnacle of his legal career and a lifelong dream.

"Also meaningful has been working alongside the talented lawyers and professional staff of the United States Attorney’s Office, as well as with the agents and employees of our partner federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies," Lapointe said.

"These honorable public servants meet the challenges of safeguarding our homeland, local communities, and government institutions selflessly and without fanfare, at times at significant personal costs. I have never stopped being inspired by them and always will cherish my time as part of this deeply noble undertaking. To them, I extend my utmost gratitude and admiration."

Lapointe thanked President Biden, Miami U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson and Florida U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott for their support.

"I would not have had this life-changing experience without the support of President Joseph R. Biden, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Rick Scott, and countless leaders from our community," he said. "To all of them, thank you for trusting me to fulfill the duties of United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

Lapointe’s resignation is effective Jan. 17, 2025.

Lapointe is the latest U.S. attorney appointed by Biden to resign ahead of Trump’s inauguration and return to the White House.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas Kate E. Burbacher, the first woman to hold the position, has resigned effective Jan. 19.

U.S. Attorney Jane Young, the top federal prosecutor in New Hampshire, also submitted her resignation, as well as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Alamdar Hamdani.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia Jill Steinberg and U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery are also stepping down.