PHOENIX — The top federal law enforcement officer in Arizona was appointed last week to serve on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s advisory committee.

Gary Restaino will be one of 12 U.S. attorneys to advise the attorney general on matters of policy, procedure and management impacting the department, according to a press release on Wednesday.

“I am honored to have been selected by Attorney General Garland for this role and I am excited for the opportunity to work collaboratively with other U.S. attorneys across the country,” Restaino said in a press release.

“I appreciate the ability to amplify the excellent work of our team here in the district in engaging with our sovereign tribal partners, in interdicting contraband on the border, and in addressing the other unique issues we face in Arizona.”

Restaino has been the state’s U.S. Attorney since November after being nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed for the role.

U.S. attorneys Damian Williams from New York and Cindy Chung of Pennsylvania will serve as the chair and vice chair of the advisory committee, whose first meeting will take place in the spring.

“These United States attorneys will represent the views of dedicated federal prosecutors across the country, and provide advice and insight into essential matters facing the department,” Garland said in the release.

“I look forward to working alongside them in carrying out the department’s core priorities of upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting civil rights.”

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in 2003, Restaino served as a civil rights lawyer in the state attorney general’s office and also worked as a trial attorney in the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, according to the release.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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