Sally Yates is a partner in King and Spalding’s special matters and government investigations practice and also leads the firm's crisis management practice. She is the former deputy attorney general of the United States, appointed by President Obama in January 2015 and serving until January 20, 2017, then serving 10 days as acting attorney general. As deputy attorney general, Yates focused on reforming the criminal justice system, ensuring individual accountability for corporate wrongdoers, strengthening public safety, and enhancing the U.S. prison system. Her 27-year career in the Justice Department holding positions of increasing responsibility began in 1989 as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Atlanta office.