Peter D. Leary

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404.566.6210

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Overview
Insights
Awards

In nearly 20 years at the Department of Justice and a U.S. Attorney’s Office, Peter led both an office and investigations, argued before judges and juries across the U.S., and successfully handled a series of high stakes matters. His experience spearheading criminal and civil government investigations aids clients in navigating regulatory enforcement and compliance challenges.

Peter most recently served as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, where he led the federal law enforcement activities across 70 counties, addressing the needs of a diverse population of approximately two million people. His role included membership in several Attorney General Advisory Committee (AGAC) subcommittees, focusing on critical areas such as cyber and intellectual property, terrorism and national security, violent and organized crime, and environmental justice.

Previously, Peter was the first assistant U.S. Attorney, where he managed the office’s Criminal, Civil, Appellate, and Administrative Divisions, leading a team of more than 70 staff members across three branch offices. As an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division, Peter was the lead prosecutor in high-stakes federal cases involving computer crimes, fraud, firearms, drugs, and terrorism. His experience with cyber-related crimes was recognized through his roles as the office’s computer hacking and intellectual property prosecutor and national security cyber specialist. Peter’s collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies have been honored with awards from the Anti-Defamation League and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Peter’s legal career began in the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch. There he defended executive actions and the constitutionality of acts of Congress in complex civil litigation as well as economic sanctions decisions made by the Treasury and State Departments. His early career also included a clerkship with U.S District Judge Hugh Lawson in the Middle District of Georgia.

  • Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) Director’s Award for Superior Performance in Prevention and Reentry Activities (2021)
  • Anti-Defamation League (ADL) SHIELD award (2019)
  • International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)/Thomson Reuters Award for Excellence in Criminal Investigation (2018)
Overview

In nearly 20 years at the Department of Justice and a U.S. Attorney’s Office, Peter led both an office and investigations, argued before judges and juries across the U.S., and successfully handled a series of high stakes matters. His experience spearheading criminal and civil government investigations aids clients in navigating regulatory enforcement and compliance challenges.

Peter most recently served as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, where he led the federal law enforcement activities across 70 counties, addressing the needs of a diverse population of approximately two million people. His role included membership in several Attorney General Advisory Committee (AGAC) subcommittees, focusing on critical areas such as cyber and intellectual property, terrorism and national security, violent and organized crime, and environmental justice.

Previously, Peter was the first assistant U.S. Attorney, where he managed the office’s Criminal, Civil, Appellate, and Administrative Divisions, leading a team of more than 70 staff members across three branch offices. As an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division, Peter was the lead prosecutor in high-stakes federal cases involving computer crimes, fraud, firearms, drugs, and terrorism. His experience with cyber-related crimes was recognized through his roles as the office’s computer hacking and intellectual property prosecutor and national security cyber specialist. Peter’s collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies have been honored with awards from the Anti-Defamation League and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Peter’s legal career began in the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch. There he defended executive actions and the constitutionality of acts of Congress in complex civil litigation as well as economic sanctions decisions made by the Treasury and State Departments. His early career also included a clerkship with U.S District Judge Hugh Lawson in the Middle District of Georgia.

Insights

Articles + Publications

Navigating Change: First 100 Days Under the Trump Administration

Articles + Publications

DOJ’s Criminal Division Announces Updates to White-Collar Enforcement and Corporate Policies

Podcasts

Navigating 2025: Trends in OFAC and DOJ Enforcement for Digital Assets

Firm News

Former US Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia Joins Troutman Pepper Locke

See all insights from Peter D. Leary

Awards
  • Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) Director’s Award for Superior Performance in Prevention and Reentry Activities (2021)
  • Anti-Defamation League (ADL) SHIELD award (2019)
  • International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)/Thomson Reuters Award for Excellence in Criminal Investigation (2018)

Top areas of focus

  • Member, National Association of Former United States Attorneys (NAFUSA), 2025
  • Member, Attorney General Subcommittee for Cyber and Intellectual Property, 2022-2025
  • Member, Attorney General Subcommittee for Violent and Organized Crime, 2022-2025
  • Member, Attorney General Subcommittee for Terrorism and National Security, 2023-2025
  • Member, Attorney General Subcommittee for Environmental Justice Security, 2023-2025
  • Member, Georgia Attorney General’s Anti-Gang Network, 2020-2025
  • Member, Georgia Attorney Generals Statewide Opioid Task Force, 2020-2025
  • Leadership team member, Macon Violence Prevention, 2021-2025
  • Co-chair, Jefferson Scholars Foundation – Atlanta, Georgia Region, 2012-2022
  • Founding board member, Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative, 2014-2019

Education

  • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 2005, editorial board, Journal of Law and Politics; president, pro-bono chair, Virginia Environmental Law Forum; 13 Society
  • University of Virginia, B.A., 2000, Jefferson Scholar; Echols Scholar, Raven Society, political and social thought; history

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia
  • Virginia (Inactive)
  • Presenter, “Health Care Fraud Seminar,” State Bar of Georgia, December 5, 2024.
  • Presenter, “Southeastern White Collar Crime Institute,” American Bar Association, September 5, 2024.
  • Presenter, “Southeastern White Collar Crime Institute,” American Bar Association, September 8, 2023.
  • Presenter, “Southeastern White Collar Crime Institute,” American Bar Association, September 8, 2022.
  • Presenter, “Southeastern White Collar Crime Institute,” American Bar Association, September 10, 2021.
  • Presenter, “32nd Annual Conference on Crimes Against Children,” Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, August 10, 2020.
  • Presenter, Tennessee Internet Crimes Against Children Conference, 2020.
  • Moderator, “Cybersecurity Roundtable,” Institute of Internal Auditors/U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, September, 27, 2019.