William C. Killian, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, has submitted his resignation to President Barack Obama, effective Dec. 5, 2015. He is joining a national law firm.
Killian was sworn into office Oct. 4, 2010 after nomination by Obama and unanimous confirmation by the United States Senate. While a U.S. Attorney, he served on three Attorney General’s Advisory Committee subcommittees, including Terrorism and National Security; Civil Rights; and Healthcare Fraud Working Group.
“U.S. Attorney Bill Killian has served the people of the Eastern District of Tennessee, and all Americans, with extraordinary distinction,” said Attorney General Loretta Lynch. “Under Bill’s outstanding leadership, his office secured landmark settlements in corporate and healthcare fraud cases, worked tirelessly to curb the illegal distribution of prescription drugs, joined local partners in combating violent crime, and took aggressive action against illegal firearms.
“In guiding these and many other actions, Bill displayed impeccable judgment, impressive skill, and an unerring sense of fairness. Thanks to his dedicated service, the United States is a safer and more just place. I commend him on a job well done, and wish him the best as he begins the next chapter of his career.”
“Words cannot express the appreciation I have for the opportunity to serve the people of Eastern Tennessee, granted to me by the efforts of former Congressman Lincoln Davis, the nomination by President Barack Obama, and the approval by Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander,” Killian said. “It was my great pride and honor to represent the United States of America in the Eastern District of Tennessee.
“I will forever be grateful to President Barack Obama for entrusting me with this position. The dedicated professionals in this United States Attorney’s office have performed at the highest level as representatives of the Department of Justice, under the leadership of former Attorney General Eric Holder and current Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The leadership, advice, and cooperation of the past and present Attorney Generals have been invaluable, and an integral part of our success.
“I am humbled by the honor and experience of serving with my fellow United States Attorneys throughout the country. None of the accomplishments would have been possible without the cooperation and coordination of the various local, state and federal agencies.”
During his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Killian directed and oversaw the investigation of several matters involving national security, including the Chattanooga shootings that resulted in the deaths of five servicemen. He personally participated in the negotiation of the settlement in the Pilot/Flying J case, the largest corporate financial penalty collected in the history of the district. He, along with the Civil Affirmative Enforcement Assistant U.S. Attorneys, also mediated the Hill–Rom matter, the largest civil healthcare fraud settlement in the history of the district.
Under Killian’s direction, the office established new records for asset forfeiture collections and number of individuals convicted of illegally distributing prescription pills. His district also prosecuted one of the highest numbers of federal firearms offenses in the nation. The office further promoted and participated with local, state, and federal agencies and task forces to address and combat violent crime, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illegal drug sales, and organized gang activity. The district also established new records for child sex trafficking and child pornography convictions through the Internet Crimes Against Children Initiative.
Throughout his service, Killian made presentations at various national and international seminars and conferences, including the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud and the European Union Office of Harmonization in the Internal Market regarding intellectual property rights prosecutions. He also presented to the Global Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Tennessee Hospital Compliance Officers Association, and the National State Attorneys General Conference, and spoken to the Pharmaceutical Compliance Congress in the District of Colombia on healthcare fraud prevention and prosecution.
Prior to being sworn in as U.S. Attorney, Killian was a sole practitioner in his law firm in Jasper, Tenn. He served as the City Attorney for the town of Monteagle, Tenn., for 21 years. Until his appointment as U.S. Attorney, Killian held positions on the Tennessee Court Reporting Board, Tennessee Bar Association House of Delegates, and Board of Directors of the Chattanooga area Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Killian is a master member of the Brock Cooper Inns of Court in Chattanooga and the Hamilton Burnett Inns of Court in Knoxville. He was certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the Tennessee Commission on Legal Specialization as a civil and criminal trial advocate from 1995 until 2010. He has tried civil and criminal cases in several states and several federal jurisdictions.
Killian graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Law in 1974 after receiving a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in April 1975. From 1976 through 1979, he was employed as an assistant district attorney with the 12th Judicial District, serving seven counties in southeast Tennessee, and returned to this position part-time from 1988 through 1990. Through the years, he has held various teaching positions with colleges in east Tennessee as well as the University of Tennessee College of Law. He served in the Tennessee National Guard from December 1970 through January 1973.
Source: Department of Justice