Kenneth Polite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kenneth Polite
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| United States Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division | |
| In office July 21, 2021 – July 28, 2023 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Brian Benczkowski |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana | |
| In office September 20, 2013 – March 10, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Jim Letten |
| Succeeded by | Peter G. Strasser |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Kenneth Allen Polite Jr.
1976 (age 48–49) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Spouse | Florencia Greer |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) Georgetown University (JD) |
Kenneth Allen Polite Jr. (born in 1976) is an American lawyer. He served in important roles for the United States government. From 2021 to 2023, he was the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division. This means he helped lead efforts to fight crime across the country. Before that, from 2013 to 2017, he was a United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. In this role, he was the chief federal prosecutor for that area.
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Early Life and Education
Kenneth Polite Jr. was born in 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His mother, Rosalind, was still in high school when he was born. His father, Kenneth Polite Sr., later became a police officer. Kenneth grew up with his two brothers, Damion and Tyrrel, raised by his single mother. They lived in the Lower Ninth Ward area of New Orleans.
In 1993, Kenneth graduated at the top of his class from De La Salle High School. He then went to Harvard University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1997. After that, he studied law at Georgetown University Law Center. He received his law degree in 2000.
Career in Law
After law school, Kenneth Polite Jr. gained valuable experience. In 2001, he worked for Judge Thomas L. Ambro at a high court called the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. From 2002 to 2006, he worked as a lawyer at a large law firm in New York City.
Later, from 2007 to 2010, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney in New York. This meant he worked as a prosecutor for the government. He then returned to New Orleans. From 2010 to 2013, he was a partner at a law firm there. He led their team that handled complex financial crime cases. From 2018 to 2021, he was a partner at another law firm, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
Serving as United States Attorney
On June 27, 2013, President Barack Obama chose Kenneth Polite to be the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The United States Senate approved his nomination, and he started his new job on September 20, 2013.
As United States Attorney, Polite started several important programs:
- Crescent City Keepers Mentoring Program: In 2014, he created this program to help young people who were at risk. It connected them with mentors from faith communities.
- Anti-Corruption Unit: He also set up a special unit to investigate claims of public corruption and civil rights issues.
- 30-2-2 Reentry Program: This program helped people who had been in prison find jobs. Thirty local businesses agreed to hire two formerly incarcerated individuals for two years.
In 2015, Polite was chosen to be part of the Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys. This national group advises the Attorney General on important policies and operations for the Justice Department.
Personal Life
Kenneth Polite Jr. is married to Florencia Greer Polite. She is a doctor and works at the University of Pennsylvania. They met when they were both students at Harvard University. The couple has two daughters and lives in Philadelphia. They are Catholic.
Polite has also served on local boards, like the Louisiana Civil Service Commission. He was also on the board of New Orleans College Prep Charter School. A personal event, the murder of his half-brother in New Orleans in 2004, influenced his decision to become a prosecutor.
He is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. In 2015, Loyola University gave him an honorary doctorate degree.
See also
- 2017 dismissal of U.S. attorneys
