Memphis, TN - U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, of the Western District of Tennessee, is pleased to announce the recent hiring and assignment of five (5) new Assistant U.S. Attorneys, one (1) new Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (JAG SAUSA), and two (2) new support staff positions in the U.S. Attorney's Office. "With the dramatic increase in our case filings since October, these new positions are much needed, and a welcome addition to our outstanding staff who effectively represents the United States, enforces the rule of law, and protects public safety in West Tennessee every day," said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant.

Jennifer Collins, Assistant U.S. Attorney, is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law and is licensed to practice in Mississippi and Tennessee. She previously worked at Webb, Sanders & Williams, PLLC in Tupelo, Mississippi and for the Memphis City Schools district as Associate General Counsel. Prior to becoming an AUSA, she worked at the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee as a Paralegal Specialist for the Appellate Division and Homeland Security Task Force. She will be assigned to the Civil Division of the Memphis office.

Meghan Fowler, Assistant U.S. Attorney, obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has been a prosecutor for over 16 years in Tennessee and Mississippi, handling all levels of State criminal prosecutions. She served as an Assistant District Attorney in Shelby County, Tennessee and worked as a Senior Trial Assistant in the Special Prosecution Unit as well as the Domestic Violence Unit. She also served as an Assistant District Attorney in North Mississippi before serving as an Assistant District Attorney General Pro Tem for the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. She will be assigned to the Organized Crimes & HSTF Unit in the Criminal Division of the Memphis office.

Brooke Greer, Legal Assistant, is a graduate of Union University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Prior to this position, she worked as a civil paralegal for a private law firm in Jackson, Tennessee. She is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina and is excited to begin working in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Jackson, Tennessee.

Raven Icaza, Assistant U.S. Attorney, obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Loyola University Chicago and her Juris Doctorate from University of Memphis. She began her career in the 25th Judicial District of Tennessee as an Assistant District Attorney. and litigated a variety of cases throughout the district, primarily Fayette County. She was a member of the Child Protective Investigative Team and the Vulnerable Adult Protective Investigative Team. She currently serves as Secretary on the board of Fayette Cares, a local non-profit dedicated to helping those affected by homelessness, domestic violence, or otherwise in crisis. She will be assigned to the Organized Crimes & HSTF Unit in the Criminal Division of the Memphis office.

Darrius Samples, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, earned his Juris Doctor from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. He is admitted to practice law in Maryland where he gained foundational experience in criminal procedure and courtroom litigation. He joined the United States Army Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps and served as a Military Justice Advisor, Chief of Client Services, and Defense Counsel, which included an overseas assignment in South Korea. He advised commanders on complex military justice matters, oversaw legal services operations, and represented service members in serious criminal cases. He will be assigned to prosecute criminal cases arising from the Memphis Safe Task Force Operation.

Gavin Smith, Assistant U.S. Attorney, attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and his Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review. He served as an Assistant District Attorney at the Shelby County District Attorney General's Office in Memphis, where he prosecuted violent crimes and homicides. He was a member of the D.A.'s Special Victims Unit (SVU) and also served as the Chief Prosecutor over a vertical team of prosecutors in both general sessions and criminal courts. He will be assigned to the Firearms & Violent Crimes Unit in the Criminal Division of the Memphis office.

Berina Suljic, Paralegal Specialist, earned her Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Law, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After relocating to the United States, she earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, Tennessee. Following graduation, she worked at an immigration law firm as a paralegal and applied her international legal background and technical expertise to support case strategy and client advocacy. She joins the U.S. Attorney's Office with extensive experience handling complex legal matters and a wealth of knowledge in immigration law. She will be assigned to the Firearms & Violent Crimes Unit in the Criminal Division of the Memphis office.

Irris Williams, Assistant U.S. Attorney, is a lifelong Memphian and graduated from Memphis Harding Academy. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Spelman College and received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. She began her career as an Associate Attorney at Becker Law Firm practicing family law. She served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Shelby County District Attorney General's Office prior to joining the Firearms and Violent Crimes Unit at the U.S. Attorney's Office. She will be assigned to the Firearms & Violent Crimes Unit in the Criminal Division of the Memphis office.

###

For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney's Office on FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or on XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.