William C. Killian, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, submitted his resignation to President Barack Obama and plans to join a national law firm, his office announced Thursday.
His last day will be Dec. 5.
"I am humbled by the honor and experience of serving with my fellow U.S. District Attorneys throughout the country," Killian said in a statement. "None of the accomplishments would have been possible without the cooperation and coordination of various local, state and federal agencies."
Killian was sworn into office Oct. 4, 2010, after his nomination by Obama and confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Before serving the Eastern District, the Jasper, Tenn., native toggled between prosecution and private defense work in state and federal courts.
During his tenure as U.S. attorney, Killian investigated the July 16 shootings in Chattanooga that killed five servicemen, worked to cut the illegal distribution of prescription drugs and negotiated key corporate fraud settlements.
"Bill Killian has served the people of the Eastern District of Tennessee, and all Americans, with extreme distinction," Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement. "I commend him on a job well done and wish him the best as he begins the next chapter of his career."
U.S. Attorney Bill Killian speaks to media as USMC Captain Ty Balzer listens from behind during a press conference at Tennessee Valley Authority's Missionary Ridge Auditorium on Friday, July 17, 2015 the day after a four Marines were shot and killed. The investigation is being treated as an act of terrorism. Killian's office did not announce which law firm he plans to join or why he resigned. But news of his departure had the legal community speculating about the next step, particularly with the 2016 presidential election approaching.
Nancy Harr, a veteran federal prosecutor promoted to the No. 2 supervisory position under Killian, will serve as acting U.S. Attorney until a replacement is chosen.
The release, which included praise from Attorney General Loretta Lynch, did not address the replacement process. Whomever seeks the slot must be nominated by the president and confirmed by Congress.
It is not clear if Harr, a Democrat, is interested in the position. She would be the first woman to hold the post in the Eastern District if nominated and confirmed.
"I think it could be quite difficult to find somebody given the political environment right now," said Hallie McFadden, a federal criminal defense attorney. "If they found somebody, my guess is that it could easily take six months."
Attorney Brian O'Shaughnessy said the upcoming election complicates the selection process because the president might be hesitant to pick someone who won't score the Senate's approval.
"We'll probably get somebody," he said. "We've got over a year left (before the election). We've got a bit of time."
News Sentinel writer Jamie Satterfield contributed to this story.
Contact Zack Peterson at zpeterson@timesfreepress.com. Follow @zack peterson918.