[9] She moved to New York City to attend Barnard College of Columbia University at the age of 16, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree and graduating cum laude four years later.

She also successfully argued against attorney Roy Cohn in his attempt to overturn convictions of two Gambino family Mafia members.

[13] After leaving the Southern District, she worked in private practice for 30 years, primarily as a defense attorney in white-collar cases.

[9] Strauss became a litigation partner at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, then at Mudge Rose Guthrie Alexander & Ferdon.

[17] During her tenure as Deputy U.S. Attorney, Strauss worked on cases against Michael Cohen, Chris Collins, and Rudy Giuliani associates Igor Fruman and Lev Parnas.

[9] Her son, Mathew Wing, was married to Melissa DeRosa, who was secretary to the governor of the State of New York, Andrew Cuomo until August 2021.