Maryland United States Attorney’s Office Announces Supervisory Appointments

Erek L. Barron, the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced today several new senior supervisory appointments. The following personnel changes were made following an office-wide internal review and a competitive interview and assessment process:

• Thomas Corcoran and Tarra Deshields were appointed as Chief and Deputy Chief, respectively, of the Civil Division; 
• Kristi O’Malley was appointed as a Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division; 
• Kelly Hayes and Jessica Collins were appointed as Chief and Principal Deputy Chief, respectively, of the Southern Division; 
• Brandon Moore and Elizabeth Wright were appointed as Deputy Appellate Chiefs of the Appellate Division;
• Kathleen Gavin and Aaron Zelinsky were appointed as Chief and Deputy Chief, respectively, of the National Security and Cyber Crime Section; and
• Frank Burch was appointed as a Supervisor in the Victim-Witness Assistance Unit.
   

“I am proud to report that in our first 100 days we're now more diverse in our senior management team than at any time in the history of our Office. This diverse set of professionals adds greater depth of experience and perspective to our decision-making and makes our Office stronger, and more fully representative of the people of the District of Maryland,” said United States Attorney Erek L. Barron.

These individuals join a management team that includes: First Assistant United States Attorney, Phil Selden; Executive Assistant United States Attorney, Ayn Ducao; and Senior Counsel to the United States Attorney, Stephen Schenning. Former Acting U.S. Attorney and First Assistant Jonathan Lenzner has been serving as senior advisor to the DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, but will start a detail next week as Chief of Staff to FBI Director Christopher Wray.  “With these leadership appointments, the public can be assured that the Office will maintain its traditions and the highest standards of professionalism well into the future while also working to reflect Marylanders and the communities were are sworn to protect and represent,” added United States Attorney Barron. A brief professional biography of each of these appointees is attached to this release.

In addition to these supervisory appointments, United States Attorney Barron announced that the Office has created a Hiring Committee, led by Senior Counsel Steve Schenning and Assistant United States Attorney Christine Goo, to assist the Office in recruiting and hiring the best qualified candidates to serve as Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the District of Maryland. Under Steve and Christine’s leadership, the Hiring Committee, will seek to expand both the candidate pool and ultimately broaden the diversity of perspectives and abilities within the Office.

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Thomas Corcoran
Chief, Civil Division

Tom Corcoran is the Chief of the Civil Division for the District of Maryland, overseeing attorneys in Baltimore and Greenbelt, who defend federal agencies when sued in court, prosecute civil enforcement activities in fraud matters and collect debts owed to the United States.

During his tenure with the Office, Tom previously served as Deputy Civil Chief, Affirmative Civil Enforcement Coordinator and Civil Healthcare Fraud Coordinator.  During his tenure in the Civil Division, Tom has focused his practice on affirmative civil investigations of corporations, individuals, physicians, universities, and hospitals under the False Claims Act as well as civil investigations of pharmacies, distributors, and providers under Controlled Substances Act.  

Prior to joining the Office, Tom practiced at two Baltimore law firms, Shapiro and Olander and Baxter, Baker, Sidle and Conn.  Tom started his legal career in Columbia, South Carolina at the law firm of Nelson, Mullins, Riley and Scarborough.  Tom received his undergraduate degree, with high honors, from Cornell University, where he was also a member of the Cornell Men’s Lacrosse Team.  He received his Juris Doctor from Tulane University School of Law, cum laude, where he was the Notes and Comments Editor on the Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law. 

Tarra Deshields
Deputy Chief, Civil Division

Tarra Deshields is the Deputy Chief of the Civil Division for the District of Maryland.  Her portfolio includes both defensive cases and False Claims Act litigation and she serves as the Office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement and Health Care Fraud Coordinator.

During her tenure with the Office, Tarra has handled 14 trials.  She has handled a variety of Criminal Division and Civil Division cases including, but not limited to, Export Act violations, racketeering offenses, mortgage, bank and tax fraud, immigration offenses, bank robbery and firearms offenses, as well as medical malpractice and employment discrimination actions.  Tarra has also negotiated numerous False Claims Act settlements.

Before joining the Office, Tarra began her legal career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Montgomery County, Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office and as an Assistant Attorney General at the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, where she wrote numerous appellate briefs, and twice authored amicus briefs, both criminal and civil, in the United States Supreme Court.  Tarra has also argued 10 times before the Maryland Court of Appeals.  Tarra clerked for the Honorable Charles E. Moylan Jr. for the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and her law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Kristi O’Malley
Deputy Chief, Criminal Division

Kristi O’Malley serves as the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. 

During her tenure with the Office, Kristi has previously served as the Principal Deputy Chief and Chief of the Greenbelt office and Deputy Criminal Division Chief as well as the Office’s Project Safe Childhood and Human Trafficking Coordinators, Intern Coordinator and Civil Rights Coordinator.  As an Assistant United States Attorney, Kristi has handled 15 jury trials.  She has prosecuted a variety of cases including, but not limited to, the production of child pornography, human trafficking, bank robbery, sanctions violations, mortgage and foreclosure rescue fraud, identity theft, narcotics and firearms related cases and civil rights crimes. 

Prior to joining the Office, Kristi clerked for the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and was an associate with a national law firm where she focused on white collar criminal defense.  Kristi received her undergraduate degree from Claremont McKenna College, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia where she was a member of the Order of Coif and was a Notes Development and Executive Editor for the Virginia Journal of International Law.  Kristi has also taught at the Georgetown University Law Center.

Kelly Hayes
Chief, Southern Division

Kelly Hayes is the Chief of the Southern Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. 

During her tenure with the Office, Kelly has served as the Office’s Identity Theft Coordinator, Health Care Fraud Coordinator, Deputy Appellate Chief, and Deputy Chief and Principal Deputy Chief for the Southern Division.  She has prosecuted a variety of cases including, but not limited to, carjacking, Hobbs Act robbery, production of child pornography, wire, bank and health care fraud, as well as fatal overdoses. 

Prior to joining the Office, Kelly clerked for the Honorable Janis L. Sammartino in the Southern District of California and was an associate at Ropes & Gray in Washington, D.C.  Kelly received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland at College Park, summa cum laude, and her Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned Highest Honors, was a Chancellors’ Scholar, and served as the Comments Editor for the New Carolina Law Review.  

Jessica Collins
Deputy Chief, Southern Division

Jessica Collins is the Deputy Chief of the Southern Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

During her tenure with the Office, Jessica has served as the Office’s Health Care Fraud Coordinator and has prosecuted a variety of cases, including but not limited to, wire, mail, health care and tax fraud, aggravated identity theft, narcotics offenses involving opioids and drug trafficking and firearms offenses. 

Prior to joining the Office, Jessica clerked for the Honorable J. Frederick Motz and the Honorable Catherine C. Blake in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland and for the Honorable Henry F. Floyd on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.  She also was an associate at a national law firm and served as a trial attorney at the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, where she prosecuted health care fraud cases throughout the United States.  Jessica received her undergraduate degree from Tulane University, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and her Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law, magna cum laude, where she was also a Florence Allen Scholar, a member of the Order of Coif, and was a Notes Editor for the New York University Law Review. 

Kathleen Gavin
Chief, National Security and Cyber Crimes Section

Kathleen Gavin is the Chief of the National Security and Cyber Crimes Section for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.  Kathleen investigation and prosecuting cases involving terrorism, counterespionage, export violations and cybercrimes.  Kathleen also serves as the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC) Coordinator.  The ATAC was formed to prevent terrorist attacks; to ensure effective information sharing between law enforcement, public agencies, and private entities to help combat terrorism; and to ensure adequate management plans are in place in the event of a terrorist attack. 

In her role as the Chief of the National Security and Cyber Crimes Section, Kathleen draws on her more than 30 years of experience in the Office.  During her tenure with the Office, she has served as the Deputy Chief and Chief of the Fraud and Corruption Section.  Kathleen has also prosecuted a variety of fraud and political corruption cases, as well as a variety of national security matters, including but not limited to, RICO conspiracy, extortion, bribery, mail and wire fraud, tax violations, obstruction of justice and Arms Export Act violations.  Kathleen was awarded the United States Department of Justice’s National Director’s Award for Superior Performance, the United States Attorney’s Office’s Barney Skolnik Award, three times, for Excellence in the Prosecution of Fraud and a Special Achievement Award.  Her convictions have been affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. 

Prior to joining the Office, Kathleen was an associate at Venable, LLP where she practiced commercial and employment litigation.  Kathleen received her undergraduate degree, with Distinction, from the University of Virginia, where she was also four-year member of the Virginia Women’s Lacrosse Team and was recognized with the Most Valuable Player Award.  She received her Juris Doctor, with Honors, from University of Maryland Law School. 

Aaron Zelinsky
Deputy Chief, National Security and Cyber Crimes Section

Aaron is the Deputy Chief of the National Security and Cyber Crimes Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

During his tenure with the Office, has served in the Office Major Crimes section and Fraud and Public Corruption Section, where he has served as a Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property coordinator (CHIP), Covid Fraud Co-Coordinator, and Procurement Collusion Strike Force Coordinator. 

Prior to joining the Office, Aaron worked at the United States State Department, where he served as Special Assistant to State Department Legal Adviser Harold Koh.  Aaron clerked for Justices John Paul Stevens (Ret.), Anthony Kennedy on the United States Supreme Court, the Honorable Thomas B. Griffith on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and for Chief Justice Dorit Beinsich of the Israeli Supreme Court.  Aaron received his undergraduate degree from Yale College and his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, where he was an Articles Editor of the Yale Law Journal.  Aaron has also worked as an Assistant Special Counsel to Robert S. Mueller, III.  He has taught at the University of Maryland Law School and Peking University. 

Brandon Moore
Deputy Chief, Appellate Division

Brandon is the Deputy Chief of the Appellate Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

During his tenure with the Office, Brandon has served in the Violent Crime and Gangs Unit and as a member of the Office’s Sentencing Issues Review Board.  Brandon has prosecuted a variety of cases, including but not limited to, homicide, carjacking, Hobbs Act robbery, and RICO conspiracy as well as multiple appellate matters before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Prior to joining the Office, Brandon clerked for the Honorable George L. Russell, III, and the Honorable Theodore D. Chuang in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, as well as for the Honorable Andre M. Davis on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.  After his clerkships, he worked as a litigation associate at Gallagher, Evelius & Jones, LLP.  Brandon received his undergraduate degree from Towson University, cum laude and his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Law School, cum laude, where he was managing editor of the Maryland Law Review.

Elizabeth Wright
Deputy Chief, Appellate Division

Elizabeth Wright is the Deputy Chief of the Appellate Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

During her tenure with the Office, Elizabeth has served as one of the Office’s Opioid Coordinators and a Professional Responsibility Officer as well as being a part of the Sentencing Issue Review Board.  As a federal prosecutor, Elizabeth has handled nine jury trials.  She has prosecuted a variety of cases including, but not limited to, credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft, Social Security fraud, contraband cigarette trafficking, drug distribution, firearms related crimes, money laundering and Hobbs Act robbery.  Elizabeth has also argued five times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Prior to joining the Office, Elizabeth clerked for the Honorable Gary A. Feess in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and for the Honorable A. Wallace Tashima on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  She also was an associate at a national law firm where she focused on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations as well as environmental and appellate litigation.  Elizabeth also previously worked as an Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia.  She also previously served as the national coordinator for human trafficking matters for the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.  Elizabeth received her undergraduate degree from Yale University, cum laude and with distinction and her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School where she was a member of the Yale Law & Policy Review.  Elizabeth has previously taught at the Department of Justice’s National Advocacy Center. 

Frank Burch
Supervisor Victim Specialist

Frank Burch is the Supervisor Victim Specialist for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

Frank manages the Victim Specialists working in the Baltimore and Greenbelt offices.

During his tenure with the Office, has served as a Victim Specialist in Baltimore.  Frank previously served as a Law Enforcement Coordination & Victim-Witness Specialist where he assisted the Law Enforcement Coordinator in developing, implementing and coordinating several programmatic activities with a focus on combating Human Trafficking.

Prior to joining the Office, Frank earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Public Policy from the University of Baltimore and a Master’s Degree in Negotiations and Conflict Management from the University of Baltimore, cum laude.