Baker McKenzie Baker McKenzie
How Can We Help?
Cyrus Vance

Cyrus R. Vance Jr.

Partner
Baker & McKenzie LLP

Biography

Cyrus Vance Jr. is a partner in Baker McKenzie's North America Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice as well as the Firm's Global Investigations, Compliance & Ethics Practice. He is based in New York and serves as Global Chair of the Cybersecurity Practice.

Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Cyrus served three consecutive four-year terms as Manhattan District Attorney. In this role, he oversaw a team of more than 600 prosecutors handling landmark criminal prosecutions and more than 100,000 cases each year, including investigations and prosecutions of complex, high-profile white collar and business crimes both in the US and internationally, coordinating with global crime-fighting partners including City of London Police, Paris Prosecutors’ Office, Singapore Attorney General, Europol, and Interpol.

Cyrus is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Throughout his career, he has been a visible and vocal advocate on a range of justice issues. He is a sought-after speaker and author, and has testified multiple times before the US Congress and state agencies.

Practice Focus

Cyrus is a seasoned trial lawyer with a focus on white collar criminal defense, global investigations, complex civil and criminal litigation, compliance and cybersecurity. He employs over three decades of prolific experience in both the public and private sector, to guide clients through high-profile cross-border investigations and enforcement matters, cybersecurity incidents as well as providing comprehensive guidance on cybersecurity risks, breach readiness and privacy and data security issues. While serving as Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus was deeply involved in numerous international groundbreaking investigations and prosecutions. His cyber unit handled more than 2,000 forensic interrogations of devices annually, investigating and prosecuting significant cyber fraud, sex trafficking, and related cases. Cyrus co-founded New York City’s Cyber Critical Infrastructure Task Force, the nation’s only public–private partnership to address risk and prevent cyberattacks on the city’s critical infrastructure, and also founded the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA), a non-profit cross-border/cross-sector consortium to advise members from every continent on cyber risks and cyberattack prevention.

Professional Honors

  • Chevalier in the National Order of Mérit, awarded by the President of France for distinguished merit or achievements, 2023
  • Citizens' Crime Commission Theodore Roosevelt Leadership Award for pioneering leadership in the field of Criminal Justice, 2021
  • New York State District Attorneys' Association Frank Hogan Award, 2021
  • Ambassador of Forensic Scientists' Award for investment to test backlogged rape kits nationally, 2020
  • Georgetown University Law Center's Robert F. Drinan Public Service Award, 2017
  • Heart of Gold Award from Joyful Heart Foundation, 2017
  • Presidential Award of Excellence from National Black Prosecutors' Association, 2016
  • David Dinkins Civic Leadership Award, 2016
  • Gifford's Law Center Courageous Leadership Award, 2016
  • US Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety, 2013

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Co-Founder, NYC Cyber Critical Infrastructure Task Force, 2019–present
  • Co-Founder, Global Cyber Alliance and Board Co-Chair, 2015–present
  • Co-Founder, Prosecutors Against Gun Violence, 2015–2021
  • Board Member, American Prosecutors’ Association, 2011–2021
  • Co-Chair, New York State Sentencing Commission, 2010–2015
  • President, New York State District Attorneys’ Association, 2012–2013

Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court~United States (1995)
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington (1990)
  • Washington~United States (1989)
  • District of Columbia~United States (1985)
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York~United States (1984)
  • New York~United States (1982)

Education

  • Georgetown University Law Center (JD) (1982)
  • Yale University (BA) (1977)

Languages

  • English

Publications

  • Author, "Governments and Businesses Are Key Partners Against Cybercrime," Bloomberg Law, 2 February 2023
  • Author, "How to defend NYC's critical infrastructure today," New York Daily News, 1 May 2022
  • Author, "Why New York City is Now Bleeding: The Causes Are Complex and the Solutions Must Be, Too," New York Daily News, May, 2021
  • Author, "Addressing Domestic Terrorism in New York and Nationwide," New York Law Journal, January 2021
  • Author, "True Corporate Transparency Now: A New Legislative Tool Will Fight Fraud and Terrorism But We Must Go Further," New York Daily News, January 2021
  • Author, "Don't Bar Ex-Offenders From Coronavirus Aid Funds," New York Times, June 2020
Baker & McKenzie LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership organized under the laws of the State of Illinois (USA) and is a member of Baker & McKenzie International, a Verein organized under the laws of Switzerland.