Matthew Schneider named interim U.S. attorney in Detroit

DETROIT (AP) — A former federal prosecutor is returning to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit.

Matthew Schneider was named interim U.S. attorney by the Justice Department. He’s also been mentioned as a candidate for the full-time post, but President Donald Trump hasn’t nominated anyone in Michigan yet.
Schneider was an assistant U.S. attorney for eight years before he joined the Michigan attorney general’s office in 2011. He’s been serving as chief deputy attorney general under Bill Schuette.

Attorney General Sessions stated, “Matthew Schneider brings a broad range of invaluable experiences to the role of Interim United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.  He has served in the White House, the Michigan Attorney General’s office, and as a federal prosecutor.  His investigations of corrupt public officials and gangs have delivered results for the people of Eastern Michigan.  In this new role, he’s going to continue that good work and help keep Michigan safe.”

Schneider is currently the chief deputy attorney general for the State of Michigan, and previously served as chief legal counsel for the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.

“Matthew Schneider is an outstanding lawyer, and is superbly qualified to be the U.S Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan,” said Schuette in a statement. “He is a person of utmost integrity, high character and will reflect everything that is great about Michigan in his new position.”

Schneider previously served as the Michigan Supreme Court’s Chief of Staff and General Counsel. Schneider provided overall direction for the administration of Michigan’s Judicial Branch of government and served as chief legal counsel to the Chief Justice and the Justices.

Schneider is a former federal prosecutor with the United States Department of Justice in Detroit. He focused on prosecuting corrupt public officials and members of organized crime, as well as street gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs. He handled an anti-terrorism caseload and held the U.S. Government’s highest security clearance, Top Secret S.C.I. During his eight years as a federal prosecutor, he received numerous awards from federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI, the DEA, and the ATF.

Prior to becoming a federal prosecutor, Schneider served on the legal staff of President George W. Bush. President Bush appointed Schneider as Senior Advisor and Assistant General Counsel in the White House Budget Office during the President’s first term. Schneider helped to develop the President’s major policy, budget, and legal initiatives at the White House. Among other things, he drafted the President’s Executive Orders and Signing Statements, advised the President’s Cabinet members on their testimony before Congress, and advised senior policy makers on the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.

Schneider previously practiced international law with the Washington, D.C. firm of Wiley Rein LLP, where he represented American companies in suits against foreign governments for unfair business and trade actions.

Schneider has been an adjunct law professor at Michigan State University College of Law for several years and he has spoken and written on numerous aspects of constitutional law and criminal procedure. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Michigan State University’s James Madison College, and has studied at Cambridge University, England.

Upon the appointment of Matthew Schneider as Interim United States Attorney, Acting United States Attorney Daniel L. Lemisch will resume his role as First Assistant United States Attorney.

Chief Legal Counsel Laura Moody will take over the role of Chief Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Solicitor General Eric Restuccia will assume the role of Chief Legal Counsel for the Department, according to Schuette’s statement.

Schneider lives in Saline with his wife, Rebecca Schneider, and their two children.