Press Release

District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the creation of a division in her office that will be dedicated to investigating and prosecuting criminals who prey on society’s most vulnerable. The Special Prosecutions Division, comprised of the Special Victims and Domestic Violence Bureaus and the Juvenile Prosecutions Unit, will be led by newly appointed Executive Assistant District Attorney Joyce Smith, a veteran prosecutor and former acting district attorney of Nassau County.

District Attorney Katz said: “Launching the new Special Prosecutions Division and putting it in the very capable hands of EADA Smith marks an important moment in the history of the office of the Queens District Attorney. I look forward to the important work she and the Special Prosecutions team will be doing on behalf of the people of Queens.”

District Attorney Katz also announced the promotion of Assistant District Attorney Shawn Clark to Executive Assistant District Attorney of the Major Crimes Division, and the appointment of Albert Teichman as Director of Special Projects.

District Attorney Katz said: “I will be working closely with them on policies and programs to improve public safety in Queens. Their vast experience and deep commitment will be valuable resources.”

EADA Smith most recently served as Executive Assistant District Attorney for the New York County District Attorney’s Office as lead of its newly created Special Victims Division, comprised of specially trained, experienced staff and dedicated comprehensive resources. In this role, she oversaw the design and development of the division and worked to enhance the office’s response to vulnerable victims. EADA Smith previously served as Acting Nassau County District Attorney, managing more than 450 attorneys, investigators, and administrative staff, and overseeing the prosecution of more than 30,000 cases a year and a budget of more than $50 million.  During her tenure as Acting District Attorney, Smith enacted Nassau’s first pre-arraignment diversion program, initiated significant investigations to combat violent crime, promoted enhanced services to the victims of gender-based violence, led initiatives to improve the diversity and inclusiveness of the office, and championed legislation to increase juror pay.

EADA Clark takes over as Executive Assistant District Attorney of the Major Crimes Division, where he most recently served as bureau chief of the Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau. In addition to CCMCB, Clark will also oversee the Homicide, Hate Crimes and Forensic Science bureaus. EADA Clark began his career in the Queens District Attorney’s Office in 1996. He worked in various bureaus, including Criminal Court, Intake, Homicide Investigations, Homicide Trials, Narcotic Trials and Supreme Court Trial Bureau, where he was promoted to Deputy Chief. Clark later transferred to CCMCB as Deputy Chief and was promoted to Bureau Chief.

Assistant District Attorney Teichman brings a wealth of prosecutorial experience to the office. During a lengthy tenure at the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, he served as Chief Assistant District Attorney, overseeing a team of 250 attorneys and 200 support personnel who handled more than 30,000 cases a year. Teichman also served as CADA and EADA in the Kings County District Attorney’s office over a period of 20 years. There, he planned and managed a $60 million budget and directed the daily operations of an office of more than 500 attorneys and 600 support personnel. Director Teichman led initiatives to increase efficiency in case intake processes and improved the responsiveness of the 24-hour Major Case Response Program.

EADA Smith, EADA Clark and Director Teichman join the Executive Staff for the Queens District Attorney, which also includes Chief ADA Jennifer Naiburg, Counsel to the DA John Castellano, Counsel to the Chief ADA Vincent Carroll, EADA of Community Partnerships Colleen Babb, EADA of Investigations Gerard Brave, EADA of Appeals & Special Litigations Johnnette Traill, EADA of Criminal Practice and Policy Theresa Shanahan and EADA of the Supreme Court Trial Pishoy Yacoub.