Augusta, Ga. – Tara M. Lyons, a resident of Evans, has officially assumed the role of Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Lyons, who has served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney since April 2023, steps into this position following the resignation of Jill Steinberg. Steinberg had held the position since her appointment by President Joe Biden, but as is customary with a change in administration, she resigned after Donald Trump returned to the White House.

Lyons’ appointment marks a historic moment as she becomes the first Black woman to serve as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Southern District of Georgia, effective January 18. Her new role places her at the helm of federal law enforcement efforts across a district that spans 43 counties and serves a population of more than 1.6 million people, including the cities of Savannah, Augusta, and Brunswick.

With more than two decades of experience at the U.S. Department of Justice, Lyons brings a wealth of legal expertise to the position. Her career includes serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Henry F. Floyd, as a public defender in Richland County, South Carolina, and as an attorney advisor for the Executive Office for United States Attorneys. In South Carolina, she held roles as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and as Deputy Chief in the Criminal Division.

Throughout her career, Lyons has handled a diverse array of federal cases, including those involving violent crimes, human trafficking, child pornography, and civil rights violations. Notably, she coordinated Project Sentry in South Carolina, a program focused on preventing gun violence. In the Southern District of Georgia, she has served as both the Project Safe Childhood Coordinator, overseeing the prosecution of child exploitation cases, and as the Civil Rights Coordinator, responsible for investigating and prosecuting color of law and civil rights violations.

In her new role as Acting U.S. Attorney, Lyons leads a team of more than 70 attorneys and staff, overseeing the prosecution of federal cases in the district and ensuring the enforcement of federal laws. Her appointment not only reflects her extensive legal experience but also signifies a significant step toward diversity and inclusion in federal law enforcement leadership.

Lyons’ appointment comes at a time when the Southern District of Georgia continues to face complex challenges in federal criminal cases, and her leadership is expected to guide the district’s efforts to tackle pressing issues, including violent crime, human trafficking, and civil rights violations.