Both Pa. senators supported nomination

Post-Gazette Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady is headed back to his old office, this time as the top prosecutor.

With no objections, the U.S. Senate confirmed him as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania late Thursday, three months after his nomination by President Donald Trump.

Pennsylvanian’s two senators supported his nomination to replace Barack Obama appointee David Hickton, who stepped down a year ago as U.S. attorneys typically do after the election of a new president from a different party. Assistant U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song has been filling the role temporarily since Mr. Hickton’s resignation.

“I am pleased to see this important office being filled,” said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa. “I am confident that Mr. Brady will build on his previous experience in the U.S. attorney’s office to serve the commonwealth honorably.”

Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., said Mr. Brady has a “sterling reputation” and vast experience from his previous work in the office, his years in private practice and his time as a law clerk for conservative Judge Thomas Hardiman, who now is serving on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Hardiman reportedly was Mr. Trump’s second choice for the U.S. Supreme Court after Neil Gorsuch.

“I am confident that Mr. Brady will be a terrific U.S. attorney and will serve the people of Western Pennsylvania with honor,” he said.

Mr. Brady could not be reached for comment.

Legal scholar Carl Tobias of the University of Richmond, who tracks nominations, said Western Pennsylvania can expect its new U.S. attorney to follow the lead of Mr. Trump and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. That means taking a tougher stance on immigration and marijuana cases, among others.

Mr. Brady, of Ohio Township, is head of litigation for Federated Investors Inc., and an adjunct instructor at the University of Pittsburgh’s law school. He previously was an assistant U.S. attorney and an associate for Jones Day LLP and Reed Smith LLP.

The Western District has jurisdiction over 25 Pennsylvania counties and has federal courthouses in Erie, Johnstown and Pittsburgh.