Hiland confirmed U.S. attorney
Conway man, 45, says it’s a ‘tremendous honor’ to serve
WASHINGTON — The nomination of Cody Hiland to serve as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas was confirmed late Thursday afternoon by the U.S. Senate.
None of the nation’s 100 senators opposed the Conway man; he was confirmed by unanimous consent, along with U.S. attorney nominees from North Carolina, Indiana and Georgia.
Hiland, 45, who now serves as 20th Judicial Circuit prosecuting attorney, was nominated by President Donald Trump after receiving the backing of the state’s two Republican U.S. senators — John Boozman of Rogers and Tom Cotton of Dardanelle.
Minutes after Thursday’s vote, Boozman called the nominee and offered his congratulations.
“It’s a tremendous honor. It’s a very humbling experience,” Hiland said in an interview shortly after receiving the news. “I’m very thankful for the trust that President Trump and Attorney General [Jeff] Sessions and Sen. Boozman and Sen. Cotton have placed in me. Now it’s time to earn that trust by getting to work and seeking justice for the people of the Eastern District of Arkansas.”
The Eastern District consists of 41 of Arkansas’ 75 counties, including Pulaski and the counties surrounding it. The U.S. attorney can prosecute those who violate federal law within the district, but also can handle civil lawsuits on behalf of the federal government.
Hiland, an attorney since 2002, is a graduate of the University of Central ArkanThe
sas and the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Originally from Bee Branch, Hiland served as an aide and legislative liaison for then-Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Hiland also worked as a staff attorney and liaison for the Arkansas Public Service Commission and was program director for the Arkansas Transitional Employment Board.
He later went into private practice and was a partner at Hiland, Thomas and Cox before his election as prosecutor in 2010.
Voters in the 20th Judicial Circuit, which includes Faulkner, Van Buren and Searcy counties, re-elected Hiland in 2014.
Hiland lost a bid for the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2016. He also ran unsuccessfully for the state House of Representatives in 2006.
In an interview earlier this month, Huckabee called Hiland “exceptionally sharp” and predicted he would serve with distinction.
“He’s not only just a very exceptionally bright young man … Cody is one of the most honorable and honest people that I guess I’ve ever known. He’s got
strong Christian convictions,” Huckabee said.
He predicted Hiland will “play it straight and apply the law equally and even-handedly.”
The two U.S. senators who had recommended Hiland for the post issued statements Thursday predicting he will serve Arkansans well.
“I am pleased that the Senate confirmed Cody, who I am confident will be an excellent U.S. Attorney,” Boozman said. “He has the commitment, experience and expertise necessary to tackle the challenges he will face in this new role.”
Cotton thanked Hiland and his family “for accepting the call to serve.”
“Given his extensive legal experience and his sterling reputation, I’m confident he will serve the people of the Eastern District well,” the lawmaker added.
Hiland will fill a post that has been vacant since Sessions asked for the resignation of Christopher Thyer in March. Trump announced this month that he’s nominating Duane A. Kees, a Wal-Mart ethics and compliance attorney, to serve as U.S. attorney in the Western District of Arkansas. His nomination is still pending.