Joe Biden is expected to nominate Damian Williams as US attorney for the southern district of New York, which would make him the first African American to lead the prestigious federal prosecutors’ office in Manhattan.

Williams, 40, the current chief of the office’s securities and commodities fraud task force, was recommended for the position by Chuck Schumer. Biden has yet to make the official nomination although precedent suggests that is a formality now that Williams has the backing of the senior senator from New York.

In a statement, Schumer said Williams possessed “tremendous legal acumen, is deeply experienced in the southern district, has tried significant cases and has a strong commitment to equal justice and civil rights under the law. He is ready to take the helm to steer the southern district forward into a bright future.”