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. is an American lawyer. He has held important roles in the U.S. government. From 2021 to 2023, he served as an Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division. Before that, he was a United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana from 2013 to 2017.
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Growing Up 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 was raised by his single mother in the Lower Ninth Ward area of New Orleans. He has two brothers, Damion and Tyrrel.
In 1993, Kenneth graduated as the top student from De La Salle High School. He then went to Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997. He continued his studies at Georgetown University Law Center, getting his law degree in 2000.
Kenneth Polite's Career
After law school, Polite worked for a judge named Thomas L. Ambro. This was from 2001 to 2002. Then, he worked at a law firm in New York City until 2006.
From 2007 to 2010, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney in New York. This means he worked for the government as a prosecutor. Later, he returned to New Orleans and worked at a law firm called Liskow & Lewis. He led their team that defended people accused of certain financial crimes. From 2018 to 2021, he was a partner at another law firm, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
Serving as U.S. Attorney
In 2013, President Barack Obama chose Kenneth Polite to be the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The Senate approved his nomination, and he started his new job on September 20, 2013.
As U.S. Attorney, Polite started several important programs:
- Crescent City Keepers Mentoring Program: This program used local faith groups to help guide young people who were at risk.
- Anti-Corruption Unit: He created a special team to look into 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 U.S. Attorney General on important policies and operations.
Assistant Attorney General
On April 12, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Kenneth Polite to be an Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division. This is a very high-ranking position in the United States Department of Justice. The Senate confirmed his nomination on July 20, 2021, and he was sworn in the next day.
In this role, Polite was in charge of the Criminal Division. This division handles many important federal crime cases across the country. He served in this position until July 2023.
Personal Life
Kenneth Polite is married to Florencia Greer Polite. She is a doctor and works at the University of Pennsylvania. They met while they were both students at Harvard. The couple has two daughters and lives in Philadelphia. They are Catholic.
Polite has also served on the Louisiana Civil Service Commission. He was also on the board of New Orleans College Prep Charter School. He has said that the murder of his half-brother in 2004 made him want to become a prosecutor.
Polite is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. In 2015, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Loyola University.
See also
- 2017 dismissal of U.S. attorneys
