John Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Courtesy photo

As the investigation into the origins of Russian influence in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the possible FBI and Justice Department misconduct has now evolved into a criminal investigation, all eyes turn to U.S. Attorney General William Barr's pick to lead the probe: longtime prosecutor Connecticut-based U.S. Attorney John Durham.

Durham is no novice to national and international investigations that have garnered lots of media sunlight.

And those who know him say the 69-year-old Republican is thorough, fair and resolute. They say he is his "own man," not likely to let outside pressures influence him.

"We know that is the case because we know who John is. John will not put his name on something unless he is confident of the final product," said Day Pitney partner Stan Twardy, who was U.S. attorney for Connecticut from 1985-1991, and Durham's boss as Durham served an assistant U.S. attorney. "He will not be influenced by Barr. If the president or the attorney general try to direct him in a way they wanted, rather than in a way the facts would lead John, he'd step away from the case."

Others who have worked with Durham echoed similar sentiments, saying they believe he's the right attorney to steer the investigation to avoid partisan influences in an increasingly polarized Washington, D.C.

"He's very much his own man," said longtime New Haven attorney and Jacobs & Dow partner William Dow III, who has known Durham since 1976. "He has the ability to know what the right thing is, and the determination to do the right thing without external influence."

Both Twardy and Dow said Durham's history speaks for itself, and strengthens his reputation as a no-nonsense first-rate prosecutor.

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Durham, who began as lead federal prosecutor in Connecticut in February 2018, has prosecuted the Boston mob; led investigations into former Republican Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who served two prison stints for corruption; and headed the U.S. Justice Department's investigation into the legality of the CIA's use of enhanced interrogation techniques.

"The national spotlight will not affect John because he's been there and done that," Twardy said Monday. "This is nothing new for John. From dealing with mobsters to the waterboarding investigation, he is a man of utmost integrity."

Twardy said Durham's reputation of fairness and being thorough was evident when Durham worked for him.

"He had a reputation back then as being a dogged investigator," Twardy said. "He was a brilliant courtroom attorney. He tried a lot of difficult cases, but he had unequaled success."

Twardy said he learned a lot from Durham during the time they worked together.

"He taught me about the best practices for an investigation," Twardy said. "He also does not like leaks. You never had leaks of substance from the Mueller investigation and this will be the same way. I saw it firsthand with him and I've seen it from afar. He plays everything close to the vest."

Shipman & Goodwin partner James Bergenn has tried numerous cases against Durham and negotiated several plea deals with him. Bergenn, a former public defender and longtime defense attorney, said Durham's current assignment "is very suitable to his background."

"Our experience in Connecticut is that he will follow the facts," Bergenn said. "He's fearless and he does not seek to win popularity contests."

Tom Carson, Durham's spokesperson, said the office would have no comment on this story.

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