Lawyer Sally Yates
Name: Sally Caroline Quillian Yates
Current Role: Partner, King & Spalding (special matters and government investigations)
Birthdate / Place: August 20, 1960; Atlanta, Georgia
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Career Overview
Sally Yates served nearly three decades in the U.S. Department of Justice in both prosecutorial and leadership roles. She was confirmed as U.S. Deputy Attorney General in 2015 and later served briefly as Acting U.S. Attorney General in January 2017.
Law Firm and Public Service
After graduating from law school, Yates worked as an associate at King & Spalding in Atlanta, focusing on commercial litigation. She joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia in 1989 and was appointed U.S. Attorney for that district in 2010, becoming the first woman to hold the post.
As Deputy Attorney General, Yates oversaw Department of Justice operations and issued the 2015 “Yates Memo,” which emphasized holding individuals accountable in corporate misconduct cases. After leaving government service, she rejoined King & Spalding as a partner specializing in investigations and crisis management. She also served as a Distinguished Lecturer at Georgetown Law beginning in 2017.
Major Cases and Actions
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Olympic Park Bomber (Eric Rudolph): As a federal prosecutor, Yates led the case that resulted in four life sentences for Rudolph.
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White-collar prosecutions: She directed major fraud cases, including those involving financial crimes and corporate misconduct.
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Refusal to defend the Trump travel ban: In January 2017, Yates instructed the Justice Department not to defend Executive Order 13769, stating she could not assure its constitutionality.
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US Soccer investigation: In 2022, Yates led an independent investigation into systemic abuse in the National Women’s Soccer League under the oversight of the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Selected Opinion Pieces / Commentaries by Sally Yates
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Sally Yates: Trump thinks the Justice Department is his personal grudge squad (Washington Post, February 14, 2020). In this op-ed, Yates argues for preserving DOJ independence and criticizes politicization in criminal case decisions. The Washington Post
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Making America scared again won’t make us safer (Washington Post, June 23, 2017). Yates critiques the reinstatement of harsh mandatory minimum drug sentencing policies. The Washington Post+1
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Don’t let Trump’s use of celebrities distract you from his criminal-justice failures (Washington Post, October 16, 2018). She warns that high-profile distractions can mask regressive shifts in criminal justice policy. The Washington Post
Public Image and Focus
Yates is widely regarded as a symbol of integrity and independence within the Justice Department. Her “Yates Memo” continues to influence DOJ policies on corporate accountability. In public and private practice, she has emphasized ethics, transparency, and the rule of law.
Personal Life
Yates is married to J. Comer Yates. They have two children. She has spoken publicly about her father’s death and its impact on her commitment to public service.
Fast Facts
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Acting U.S. Attorney General from January 20 to January 30, 2017
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Confirmed as Deputy Attorney General by an 84–12 Senate vote
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Issued the 2015 “Yates Memo” on corporate accountability
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First woman to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
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Led an independent investigation into abuse in U.S. women’s professional soccer
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Partner at King & Spalding, specializing in investigations and compliance
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Distinguished Lecturer at Georgetown Law
