St. Louis — U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway is leaving her position to start a law firm with John D. Ashcroft, the former Missouri governor and U.S. attorney general, she said Friday.
Ashcroft, who also has been a U.S. senator and Missouri attorney general, will make a formal announcement Thursday, she said.
She was the top federal prosecutor for eastern Missouri, a job that typically changes hands when the presidency changes parties. President Barack Obama has not yet nominated a replacement. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Reap will assume the duties on an acting basis on Monday.
Hanaway said the law firm would focus on “complex litigation.” She said the wide breadth of experience offered by herself and Ashcroft should be attractive for clients on a variety of fronts — criminal, civil, regulatory, legislative and public relations.
She said that “happens frequently in today’s environment with so many businesses being so highly regulated.” She suggested potential clients ranging from hospitals with Medicare and Medicaid issues to industry clients facing environmental problems.
Hanaway, 45, a Republican and former speaker of the Missouri House, was nominated for the U.S. attorney’s job in 2005 by then-President George W. Bush after she lost the 2004 election for Missouri secretary of state. She had been an aide to Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond from 1993 to 1998, before getting elected to the House.
The law firm will be headquartered in Kansas City. Hanaway will be based in St. Louis. Ashcroft will be based in Washington, but also spend time here, she said.
Ashcroft formed The Ashcroft Group, a lobbying and consulting firm in 2005.
Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan is rumored to be on the short list as a permanent replacement for Hanaway.