U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh ’06 To Address New Students

Christopher R. Kavanaugh, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia since 2021, will welcome the Class of 2027 during orientation Thursday at the University of Virginia School of Law.

In his role, Kavanaugh, a 2006 graduate of the Law School, is the chief federal law enforcement officer in the district, which includes Charlottesville. He also serves on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, chairs the AGAC’s Terrorism and National Security Subcommittee and co-chairs the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee.

Kavanaugh previously served for 14 years as assistant U.S. attorney, as well as the district’s chief national security prosecutor and senior litigation counsel. Prior to his confirmation, Kavanaugh was senior counsel to Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco.

For a decade before becoming U.S. attorney, Kavanaugh was a lecturer at UVA Law, where he taught federal criminal practice and trial advocacy. He is returning to the Law School in the spring to teach Law and Riots with former U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy ’91.

What inspired you to go to law school?

Two experiences, one in high school and one in college. First, I grew up in a small town where our high school just happened to win state championships in two things: 3A football and — far less popular — moot court. I was scrawny and slow, so I knew my place. That experience introduced me to the idea of being a lawyer, but I also felt drawn to science and math. I wanted to be an astronaut, and the best way I knew to do that was to pursue engineering.

Years later, one summer I was home from Georgia Tech while studying to be an engineer, and I was volunteering in the federal courthouse. I had the opportunity to watch federal prosecutors trying a case for a doctor who had defrauded his patients. I knew then I wanted to be a lawyer and changed my major as soon as I returned in the fall with the hopes of entering public service as a federal prosecutor.

What was your most meaningful experience learning the law?

In my first semester, I remember my Contracts professor talking about the case of Williams v. Walker-Thomas Furniture Co. and the doctrine of unconscionability — that is, when the terms of a contract are so unjust (often to benefit a side with superior bargaining power) they are contrary to good conscience and unenforceable. I remember reading the case and feeling so strongly aligned with the plaintiff on how unfair the contract was. During class, the professor persuasively took the opposing view, and although he may not have changed my mind, I realized how in the law — unlike in so many other disciplines — there may not be simple right and wrong answers, and we should all be careful not to quickly assign a position to being the “right one” before hearing the counter argument.

What’s a typical day like for you as a U.S. attorney?

That’s a really tough question. As the chief federal law enforcement officer for a district encompassing 52 counties, 17 independent cities and approximately 3 million people, there really is no day that I can say is typical. Some days, I’m on the road meeting with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to help implement our enforcement priorities. On other days, I am working with fellow U.S. attorneys across the country on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee or other working groups to shape Justice Department policy and improve the federal criminal justice system. I also get the occasional office day, where, for example, I try to spend time with newer attorneys, or I am interviewing aspiring federal prosecutors for a position to become an assistant U.S. attorney. One aspect of the job is constant, although I would never describe it as “typical”: Every day I’m faced with the difficult decisions one might expect when running an Office that is constantly and actively litigating on behalf of the United States in complex criminal and civil investigations.

Tell us about a case that was especially important to you.

I led the Department of Justice’s investigation and prosecutions following the Unite the Right riots in Charlottesville in 2017. In the aftermath, the Charlottesville community, the commonwealth of Virginia and many across the nation felt not only this burning desire for some individuals to be held accountable at the federal level but also an uncertainty about whether it would ever happen. Our precedent-setting cases — including the Charlottesville car attack and the prosecution of the Rise Above movement — helped to truly move the needle in this regard and I hoped reaffirmed the rule of law. This experience was one of the driving reasons I wanted to become United States Attorney.

What did you enjoy most as a lecturer at the Law School?

I loved how the students would engage on topics in which they were so genuinely interested. The most unexpected and wonderful surprise has been that many of my students have kept in touch with me through the years as their careers flourish (I can take no credit) in so many different areas of the law.