Obama Nominates New U.S. Atty. for Western PA

Pittsburgh attorney David J. Hickton has been tapped by the Obama Administration to serve as the next U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The 54-year-old from Thornburg would not agree to be interviewed but in a brief statement said he was “honored by the nomination” and is “looking forward to working with the senate in the confirmation process.” Hickton is a founding member of Burns, White & Hickton. The law firm was founded in 1987. Before that he was an Associate attorney with Dickie, McCarney and Chilcote and he clerked with Federal Judge Gustave Diamond. He earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1981. Pennsylvania’s two sitting senators submitted Hickton’s name to the president. The nomination process is usually an easy process. Former U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan left office in November to run for Congress, Robert Cessar replaced her on an interim basis.