Michael Chertoff

Michael Chertoff is a prominent American attorney and former federal judge who served as the second Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. After clerking for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Murray Gurfein and Supreme Court Justice William J.

Brennan, Jr. from 1979 to 1980, Michael Chertoff went on to serve as a federal prosecutor for over a decade, handling complex cases involving political corruption, organized crime, corporate fraud, and terrorism. As the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1990 to 1994, he notably secured a conviction against Jersey City mayor Gerald McCann in 1992 and was significantly involved in the investigation of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. From 2001 to 2003, Chertoff headed the criminal division of the Department of Justice as Assistant U.S.

Post-government service, Chertoff co-founded The Chertoff Group in 2009, a global security risk management and growth advisory firm that provides strategic counsel on global security solutions. He also serves as senior counsel at Covington & Burling LLP, specializing in White Collar Defense and Investigations. Beyond his legal and advisory roles, he was appointed Chairman of BAE Systems in 2012. He has been involved with organizations like Freedom House, serving as its chair and a member of the board of trustees, and co-chairs the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Immigration Task Force.

Currently, as Executive Chairman of The Chertoff Group, he continues to advise clients on navigating complex global security challenges. His work as senior counsel at Covington & Burling LLP remains focused on high-stakes White Collar Defense and Investigations. He actively contributes to public policy discussions through his co-chairmanship of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Immigration Task Force, leveraging his extensive experience in national security and law to inform critical policy initiatives.