May 6--The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed President Barack Obama's nomination of David B. Fein, former White House lawyer and federal prosecutor, as Connecticut's next U.S. attorney.

Fein, whose appointment was widely expected, was confirmed by the full Senate on a voice vote.

It was unclear when Fein would take over the duties of the state's senior federal law enforcement officer. He could not be reached early Wednesday night following the vote.

Fein, of Greenwich, has been a partner in the law firm of Wiggin and Dana since 1997 and was one of four potential nominees proposed to the White House by U.S. Sens. Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman.

As U.S. attorney, he will supervise a staff of lawyers who prosecute federal crimes and represent the federal government's interests in Connecticut.

Fein, 49, was an associate White House counsel during President Bill Clinton's administration, and Clinton supported his appointment as Connecticut's chief federal prosecutor.

He replaces U.S. Attorney Nora Dannehy. Dannehy was named to the position on an interim basis when her predecessor, Kevin O'Connor, took a senior administrative position in the U.S.

Department of Justice under the administration of President George W. Bush.

At Wiggin and Dana, Fein is chairman of the firm's white-collar defense, investigations and corporate compliance group. He represents clients in criminal investigations, leads investigations for corporate clients and advises clients on corporate compliance matters.

Two years ago, Fein defended an executive of the health care retailer CVS Caremark who was charged with 23 felonies in an alleged scheme to bribe a Rhode Island state senator. The executive was acquitted after a monthlong trial at federal district court in Rhode Island.

Immediately before joining Wiggin and Dana, Fein worked in the White House counsel's office from 1995 to 1996, and was involved in Clinton administration anti-crime initiatives and policies on victims' rights and tobacco use by children.

From 1989 to 1995, he was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

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