[ by Melanie Gretchen ] President Obama nominated a federal prosecutor for the Federal District Court in Manhattan earlier this week.  Katherine Polk Failla currently serves as the chief of the criminal appeals unit in the United States attorney's office for the Southern District of New York Ms. Failla, 43, has headed the criminal appeals unit for 4 years, according to a White House release.  Before that, she was the unit's deputy chief, which handles appeals from the office's criminal trials, including financial fraud, terrorism and other crimes. Prior to joining the United States attorney's office, she spent 6 years in private practice at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. She is a graduate of the College of William & Mary and Harvard Law School.  Going forward, she must still be confirmed by the Senate. For further details, go to [Dealbook, 6/25/12].