Catherine L. Hanaway was sworn in as Missouri’s 45th Attorney General and the first woman to hold the position during a ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol. The event, which emphasized a commitment to justice and equality, included Hon. Kelly Broniec, Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri, administering the oath and overseeing Hanaway’s pledge to uphold the state’s laws, as reported by the Missouri Attorney General's official website.
The role of Attorney General carries extensive responsibilities, including defending the rule of law, protecting citizens, and ensuring the fair application of justice. Hanaway, accompanied by family and colleagues, acknowledged the significance of the position. She described serving as Missouri’s Attorney General as the highest honor of her career, expressing gratitude for the trust placed in her by Missourians and recognizing the support that helped her reach this role, according to the Missouri Attorney General’s office.
Lowell Pearson, Governor's General Counsel and Hanaway's former colleague, opened the ceremony with a welcome address. Later, notable figures including U.S. Congresswoman Ann Wagner, former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, and Governor Mike Kehoe praised Hanaway’s dedication to law and public service.
In her official remarks, Attorney General Hanaway outlined her office’s priorities, emphasizing the mission to protect Missourians from government overreach and uphold the Constitution. She stated in the official announcement, "Put simply, our job is to go after the bad guys and to protect the good guys from government overreach." Hanaway’s career began in Missouri's House of Representatives, where she became the first female Speaker of the House. Throughout her career, she has focused on public safety, Second Amendment rights, and government accountability, positioning herself as a defender of residents' liberties.
Before taking office, Attorney General Hanaway held several prominent legal positions. She was a leader at Husch Blackwell LLP and handled complex, high-profile litigation. Additionally, as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, she managed significant prosecutions. Hanaway earned her degrees from Creighton University and The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. With this background, she now leads the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
