Joon Kim, who is returning to Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton after serving as acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said the Southern District kept up its priorities and independence in the aftermath of Preet Bharara’s firing.

Kim, 46, rejoined Cleary on Monday as a partner in its enforcement and litigation group. He has spent close to decade of his career at the firm, including as a summer associate, associate and partner, with stints in government in between. He left the Southern District office in January.