Brooklyn Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez '92

Brooklyn Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez will speak on the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office's strategies to drive down crime while fostering the community's trust in the criminal justice system.

Eric Gonzalez began his legal career in 1995, as an assistant district attorney in the Kings County District Attorney's Office, thereby fulfilling an ambition that he had harbored since college.

After spending several years as a junior and then senior assistant in different bureaus within the office, including the Sex Crimes and Special Victims Bureau, Domestic Violence Bureau, Orange Trial Zone (NYPD Precincts 62, 73, 77, 78) Bureau, and Green Trial Zone (Precincts 60, 61, 70, 71, 72) Bureau, Mr. Gonzalez was promoted to supervisory positions in the Green Trial Zone. Both before and after his promotions, Mr. Gonzalez tried a full range of violent crime cases, including homicides.  In early 2014, the late District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson appointed Mr. Gonzalez to be his Counsel, and, later in the year, appointed him Chief Assistant District Attorney, the number-two position in the office.  Mr. Gonzalez successfully guided the launch of several of District Attorney Thompson's key initiatives, including the creation of the Conviction Review Unit and the office charging policy regarding the possession of marijuana.

Mr. Gonzalez grew up in East New York and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and attended John Dewey High School in Coney Island. He graduated from Cornell University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual major in government and history. In 1995, he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was president of the Latino Law Students Association.  Mr. Gonzalez remains an active and committed member of his local community.

Mr. Gonzalez's insight, enthusiasm, wise counsel and leadership have helped propel the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office to the forefront of criminal justice reform. He was sworn in as Acting District Attorney in October of 2016 after the passing of District Attorney Thompson.

6:00-6:30pm reception; 6:30pm lecture, gratis. Advance reservations required. Attendees are invited to dine at The Club with Mr. Gonzalez following the lecture. The cost is $40 per person, inclusive of tax, gratuity and one glass of wine with dinner. Dinner reservations are required 48 hours prior to the program. Same-day cancellations and no shows will be charged.