Security News: Kevin Ritz Sworn in as United States Attorney

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Kevin Ritz United States Attorney Western District of Tennessee

Memphis, TN – Kevin G. Ritz was sworn in September 28, 2022, as United States Attorney for the 
Western District of Tennessee.  In a brief ceremony at the federal courthouse  in  Memphis,  Chief  
U.S.  District  Court  Judge  S.  Thomas  Anderson administered the oath of office, in front of 
Ritz’s family and U.S. Attorney’s Office colleagues. Ritz was nominated by President Joe Biden on 
July 29, 2022, and he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on September 22, 2022. 
As United States Attorney, Kevin is the chief federal law enforcement officer in West Tennessee.

Ritz stated: “It is an honor to lead the office where I have worked for 17 years.  I’ve dedicated 
my career to serving the United States, and I can’t wait to start this next chapter. I want to 
thank President Biden for nominating me, the Senate for confirming me, and Congressman Cohen for 
recommending me for this position.”

“I look forward to working with my colleagues and our partners to promote and defend the interests 
of our country throughout the 22 counties of West Tennessee. We have a lot of work to do, and I’m 
ready to get going.”

Kevin G. Ritz is a Memphian who has dedicated his entire career to federal public service. He has 
been an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western 
District of Tennessee since 2005.  He started in the narcotics unit prosecuting drug, firearm, 
robbery, carjacking, and other offenses. He later held various leadership positions in the office, 
including serving as Appellate Chief and Special Counsel for over a decade. He has written more 
than 200 appellate briefs and argued 37 cases in the federal courts of appeals.

Ritz has twice served on the Department of Justice’s Appellate Chiefs Working Group. From 2020 to 
2021, he was the Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Section, and in 2017 
Ritz was the President of the Federal Bar Association’s Memphis Chapter. From 2008 to 2016, Ritz 
was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.

Before his tenure in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ritz clerked for Judge Julia S. Gibbons of the 
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Between college and law school, Mr. Ritz 
worked for the United States Department of State.

Mr. Ritz received his J.D. from the University of Virginia, his M.S. in Foreign Service from 
Georgetown University, and his B.A. with High Distinction from the University of Virginia, where he 
was a Jefferson Scholar. He is a product of Memphis City Schools and graduated from White Station 
High School. He and his family live in midtown Memphis.

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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or 
cherri.green@usdoj.gov. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news
and updates.