The basics:

• Vikas Khanna returns to private practice at Sills Cummis & Gross
• Will chair the firm’s white collar practice group
• Khanna previously served as acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey
• Has handled major cases including ‘Bridgegate‘

Following more than a decade with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, Vikas Khanna is returning to private practice.

As chair of Sills Cummis & Gross PC’s white collar practice group, Khanna will focus his practice on white collar criminal defense. He will advise corporations, boards, executives, governmental leaders and individuals who face government investigations, regulatory scrutiny and complex litigation, the Newark-based full-service commercial law firm said in a July 21 press release.

Until March, Khanna served as acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. The first assistant U.S. attorney was named to the position after Philip Sellinger, a 2021 President Joe Biden appointee, stepped down. Sellinger rejoined Greenburg Traurig LLP in January ahead of President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

Expanding with experience

Max Crane, managing partner of Sills Cummis & Gross, said the firm is excited to welcome Khanna.

“His extensive experience leading high-profile investigations and advising clients in complex, high-stakes matters will be a tremendous asset. His insight and leadership will strengthen the depth of our white collar practice and enhance the strategic counsel we provide to clients navigating regulatory scrutiny and government enforcement,” he said.

Commenting on his new role, Khanna said, “Sills Cummis has long been recognized as one of the top firms in New Jersey, and I’m proud to continue building my career here. What drew me to the firm is its strong white collar platform, high-level work, collaborative culture, and commitment to client success.”

“Given the current enforcement landscape, there’s a need for experienced counsel who understand how to investigate wrongdoing and navigate government scrutiny. I look forward to expanding our practice and helping clients manage these complex challenges,” he added.

High-profile cases

After earning an undergraduate degree at Princeton University, Khanna went to Harvard Law School. He began his legal career in 2007 at New York City-based law firm Katten. At the time, he served as an associate representing individuals and corporations who were subjects and targets of government investigations.

In 2011, he went to work at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark. There Khanna handled cases involving tax evasion, money laundering, health care fraud, extortion, bribery and public corruption.

Given the current enforcement landscape, there’s a need for experienced counsel who understand how to investigate wrongdoing and navigate government scrutiny.
– Vikas Khanna, Sills Cummis & Gross PC

As a federal prosecutor, Khanna has handled many high-profile white-collar and public corruption matters. As co-lead attorney, Khanna convicted two high-ranking New Jersey officials in the 206 “Bridgegate” case. In a separate matter, Khanna successfully prosecuted a former New Jersey attorney general and Port Authority chairman charged with bribery. The allegations cited misusing authority to extract favors from a national airline operating out of Newark Liberty International Airport.

In 2019, he returned to Katten as a partner in the white-collar litigation practice. Khanna spent two years there before rejoining the U.S. Attorney’s Office as a first assistant U.S. attorney. When Khanna left the office in April, he described his time there as “the honor of a lifetime.”

“The attorneys and staff with whom I worked are the country’s most dedicated and talented public servants. They work every day to keep the community safe, uphold the rule of law, and pursue the cause of justice. I will deeply cherish my time working alongside such wonderful colleagues. Thank you to Philip Sellinger for giving me this opportunity. I am very much looking forward to the next chapter,” he shared in a LinkedIn post.

Departure trend

Khanna isn’t the only recent departure from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Within the past month, Lowenstein Sandler LLP and Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC both welcomed back attorneys who previously left them to serve as federal prosecutors in Newark.

In March, Trump appointed Alina Habba to serve as interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. Trump’s longtime personal attorney-turned-presidential counselor succeeded John Giordano, who spent about two weeks on the job.

Since Habba assumed her interim role, there have been reports of resignations in the office amid concerns she is politicizing a traditionally nonpartisan office.

Morale has been low, too, The New York Times and The Daily Beast reported.

Ahead of the expiration of her 120-day term this week, Habba reportedly expressed uncertainty about whether she’ll secure support from the state’s federal judges to extend her appointment. During a private meeting, Habba said she doesn’t know for sure if July 22 – the last day of her term – will be her final day, but that she is grateful for position and hopes to stay, an anonymous source told New Jersey Globe.

When the judges convene July 21, it will come down to two Republican contenders: Desiree Grace, an assistant U.S. attorney, and Noel Lawrence Hillman, a former U.S. District Court judge, sources told New Jersey Globe and Politico.

If a judicial vote doesn’t occur, Grace would become acting U.S. attorney until either the judges select a candidate or the U.S. Senate confirms Trump’s nominee. It remains unclear whether the president will withdraw Habba’s nomination or let the judicial process continue its course. However, New Jersey’s Democrat Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim have publicly refused to endorse her, making a Senate confirmation unlikely.