Listen to this article

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey has a new second-in-command.

U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer named Joyce Malliet as first assistant U.S. attorney for the district in a June 1 press release.

As the office’s second-ranking official, Malliet will help lead the federal prosecutor’s operations in New Jersey. She is a veteran assistant U.S. attorney, with nearly 24 years’ experience.

Malliet currently serves as chief of the National Security Unit. There, she leads efforts to prevent, disrupt and prosecute threats to national security and terrorism.

Previously, she was based in the office’s Special Prosecutions Division and Securities and Health Care Fraud Unit. Malliet has also long been involved with the district’s program to help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate into society.

Before entering public service, she was the first African American partner at Clausen Miller PC. In addition to service as a trustee of the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, Malliet is founder of the Black Prosecutors Association of New Jersey.

Frazer described Malliet as “an exceptional prosecutor, leader and public servant whose career reflects an unwavering commitment to justice and the people of New Jersey.”

“She has served this Office with distinction and I am confident that her experience, judgement and dedication will continue to strengthen our mission and support the out-standing work of our prosecutors and staff,” he said.

Her appointment comes about two months after Frazer took the helm of the office. His appointment by New Jersey’s District Court judges brought an end to a year-long battle with the Trump administration over who is legally authorized to serve as U.S. attorney.