Buffalo, New York, September 24, 2025– Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, a full-service business law firm with offices throughout New York, is pleased to announce that Trini E. Ross, former United States Attorney for the Western District of New York, will join the firm as partner in its Buffalo office, effective October 6, 2025
“Throughout her career, Trini has demonstrated exceptional tenacity, leadership, strategic thinking, and keen legal insight,” said Harter Secrest & Emery Managing Partner Craig S. Wittlin. “She brings a distinctive depth of insight and a proven ability to anticipate and navigate the complexities of government investigations—helping clients manage challenging, high-stakes situations with confidence and clarity. We are thrilled to welcome her to Harter Secrest & Emery.”
Ross will lead the Harter Secrest & Emery Government and Internal Investigations team, representing companies and individuals in matters involving internal and government investigations, drawing on her decades of experience handling high-level investigations, fostering effective communication, and crafting innovative, strategic solutions.
“Joining a firm like Harter Secrest & Emery is an opportunity I could not pass up,” Ross said. “The firm and its attorneys have a well-earned reputation for exceptionally high-quality work and a commitment to legal ethics. The supportive and collaborative culture of the firm is appealing. I’m excited to work with my new colleagues and grateful for the opportunity to build the type of practice that will be impactful for our clients, beneficial to the firm, and useful to our community.”
Ross spent more than 30 years as a federal government attorney litigating and managing complex cases and appeals, engaging with high-level individuals at law enforcement agencies, and handling investigations on a multitude of issues. As United States Attorney for the Western District of New York, she led a team of over 100 attorneys and staff responsible for prosecuting all violations of federal criminal law and defending the United States in civil lawsuits. As United States Attorney, Ross was responsible for several high-profile national and international cases, including the Buffalo Tops Market mass shooting case, the murder of a Rochester, NY police officer, the assault of a member of Congress, and the stabbing of an international author. As an Assistant United States Attorney, Ross also handled numerous high-profile cases, including those involving white collar crimes and violations of civil rights.
Prior to her Presidential appointment as United States Attorney, Ross served as Director of the Office of Investigations, Legal Division, for the National Science Foundation, Office of Inspector General; Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the Western District of New York; and Assistant Counsel in the Office of Professional Responsibility with the Department of Justice. She is also a certified Fraud Examiner by the Association of Fraud Examiners.
Ross has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including the Kay Crawford Murray Award from the New York State Bar Association (2025), the Lawyer of the Year award from the Bar Association of Erie County (2022), the Trailblazer Award from the Minority Bar Association of Western New York (2022), the Judge Samuel Green Award from Black Achievers (2022), and the Woman of Distinction Designation by the New York State Senate (2022), among many others.
She is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the University at Buffalo School of Law, a Lifetime Member of the NAACP, and a member of the American Bar Association, the Bar Association of Erie County, Minority Bar Association of Western New York, and Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Western New York Chapter.
Ross received her J.D., cum laude, from the University at Buffalo School of Law, an M.A. in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University, and a B.A. from State University of New York at Fredonia.
Harter Secrest & Emery’s Government and Internal Investigations team brings decades of investigative experience to complex regulatory and enforcement matters. The firm’s team of trial and appellate attorneys have deep, hands-on experience navigating the full lifecycle of government investigations. The team includes highly qualified lawyers with diverse and distinguished backgrounds—including two former federal and state prosecutors, a veteran of the U.S. Army JAG Corps, and former employees of the Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Treasury, New York Attorney General’s Office, the New York legislature, and U.S. Congress. This breadth of experience equips Harter Secrest & Emery to navigate complex investigations with insight, precision, and strategic foresight.
About Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP is a full-service business law firm with attorneys throughout New York representing clients ranging from individuals and family-owned businesses to Fortune 100 companies and major regional institutions. With offices in Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, Corning, and New York City, New York, the firm and its attorneys are consistently recognized by the industry’s leading law firm and attorney ranking programs, including Chambers and Partners, Best Law Firms® and The Best Lawyers in America®.