Pittsburgh – Global law firm K&L Gates LLP congratulates retired longtime partner and former Governor of Pennsylvania and Attorney General of the United States Dick Thornburgh on being the namesake for a new, annual award to recognize sustained outstanding performance by an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The award was established by U.S. Attorney Scott Brady.

Thornburgh began his legal career as an associate with K&L Gates in 1959, holding multiple key roles in the firm’s Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and Boston offices at various times in the following decades. Thornburgh spent a decade with K&L Gates prior to his successful 25-year career in government, leaving the firm in 1969 to serve as a United States Attorney and later, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and serving two terms as Governor of Pennsylvania. He returned to K&L Gates in 1994, remaining with the firm until his 2019 retirement. 

“We’re thrilled for Dick to be the namesake of this prestigious award,” said K&L Gates Global Managing Partner Jim Segerdahl. “His robust legacy will be remembered for the ages not only through his own extraordinary and selfless work furthering the values of justice and integrity but also in the hardworking, dedicated and resilient members of the Western District of Pennsylvania who receive this award each year. Congratulations to this year’s winner and the entire division.”

The inaugural Dick Thornburgh Award was presented on November 5, 2020, at the Western Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Agency Directors’ (LEAD) 22nd Annual Awards Ceremony. Former Pennsylvania Governor and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania Tom Corbett presented the inaugural award to Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Conway, Chief of the Major Crimes division. More information about the award can be found on the DOJ’s press release.