Michael Bernard Mukasey (born July 28, 1941, in the Bronx, New York) is an American attorney and jurist renowned for his extensive career in law and government service. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College (1963) and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School (1966), where he served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal. After law school, he entered private practice and later served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York (1972–1976). In 1987, nominated by President Ronald Reagan, he was confirmed as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, a position he held until 2006, presiding over high-profile cases related to terrorism and organized crime. Mukasey is of Jewish descent and has been involved in Jewish organizations, serving as a trustee of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America.

In September 2007, President George W. Bush nominated Mukasey to succeed Alberto Gonzales as the 81st United States Attorney General, a role he assumed on November 9, 2007, and held until January 20, 2009. During his tenure, he navigated contentious issues in national security law, including the expansion of executive powers in counterterrorism efforts and his controversial refusal to classify waterboarding as torture, which drew criticism from human rights advocates. He oversaw the Department of Justice during a period of significant legal challenges related to the post-9/11 era, emphasizing robust prosecution of terrorism while facing scrutiny over detainee treatment and surveillance policies.

After leaving the Attorney General position, Mukasey returned to private practice as a partner at the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton, focusing on litigation and advisory roles in national security and white-collar defense. He has remained active as a speaker and commentator on legal and policy matters, including the death penalty, tort reform, and international law. His career reflects deep expertise in federal judiciary and executive branch operations, positioning him as a key figure in networks of influence within U.S. legal and security establishments.