Show-Me State Times

Missouri Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway was ceremonially sworn in as the state's 45th Attorney General in a ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol. Hanaway is the first woman to hold this office in Missouri. The oath of office was administered by Judge Kelly Broniec of the Supreme Court of Missouri.

During her remarks, Hanaway said, “Serving as Missouri’s Attorney General is the highest honor of my career. Our Office stands ready to defend the rule of law, protect our citizens, and ensure that justice is applied equally and fairly throughout this great state. I am deeply grateful to the people of Missouri for their trust and to the many mentors, colleagues, and friends who have guided me along the way.”

The event began with a welcome from Lowell Pearson, General Counsel for the Office of the Governor. Dr. Tory Baucum from Benedictine College delivered an invocation. Speakers included U.S. Congresswoman Ann Wagner, former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, and Governor Mike Kehoe, who discussed Hanaway’s record in public service.

After taking her oath, Hanaway pledged to uphold both state and federal constitutions and continue her office's work to protect Missourians and enforce laws fairly.

“Put simply, our job is to go after the bad guys and to protect the good guys from government overreach,” she said during her speech. “People often ask me what it means to be the first woman to serve as Missouri’s Attorney General. To me, it means the American promise is still alive. You can work hard, dream big, and grow up to be whatever you want to be.”

Hanaway has previously served in several leadership roles in government and private practice. She was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives where she became its first female Speaker. She also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri overseeing thousands of criminal and civil cases.

Before assuming her current role, Hanaway led Husch Blackwell LLP as Chair—the first woman in that position at a national firm with more than 1,000 lawyers based in Kansas City.

Hanaway holds degrees from Creighton University (Bachelor of Arts) and The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law (Juris Doctor). She lives in St. Louis with her husband Chris and their two children.

Photos from today’s ceremony are available on the Missouri Attorney General’s Flickr page.