Outgoing U.S. Attorney Matt Orwig accepts the Eagle Award, an award he created in 2002 to recognize outstanding service in the Eastern District of Texas, at a farewell luncheon on May 21.

John Ratcliffe assumed duties as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas on May 19. He follows Matt Orwig, who departed for a job in a Dallas law firm.

When Matt Orwig became the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, one of the first things he did was create an award to recognize prosecutors and law enforcement personnel that made a genuine and lasting impact on the district. On Monday, Orwig himself became the recipient of the Eagle Award that he launched five and half years ago.

Dozens of members of the legal community, employees and representatives of federal agencies gathered May 21 to bid farewell to Orwig and pay tribute to his accomplishments as U.S. attorney and his 20 years in public service. Orwig has left government work to join the private sector at Dallas law firm.

"The Eagle Award was created to recognize extraordinary service and achievement. I am honored to present the award to the man that created it and embodies what it stands for," newly appointed U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District John Ratcliffe said.

"It has been an honor serving in the Eastern District of Texas, and I am grateful to all of you," Orwig said at a casual gathering held at Courville's barbecue restaurant. "I am proud, but not prideful. I am only one of 100 employees in the U.S. Attorney's office."


Orwig will join the national law firm of Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal L.L.P. as Dallas managing partner and national chair of Sonnenschein's Government Litigation and Investigations Group.

He began his service as U.S. Attorney in January 2002 when he was appointed by President George W. Bush.

Orwig's many successes include high profile prosecutions of public corruption, money laundering, securities fraud, capital murder and domestic terrorism crimes. Orwig's leadership was praised during two national crises that occurred within the district.

The first occurred when Orwig directed and coordinated federal efforts and worldwide media coverage following the Space Shuttle Columbia breakup over east Texas in 2003.

Two years later, Orwig received the Director's Award for Distinguished Service from the Department of Justice for his work in spearheading federal hurricane fraud prosecutions arising out of the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the fall of 2005.

Ratcliffe said that when Orwig took office, he challenged law enforcement and prosecutors to "do more, do it better and do it faster."

"He has delivered on that challenge," Ratcliffe said. "During Orwig's tenure as U.S. Attorney, the Eastern District of Texas has increased criminal prosecutions by 76 percent. That is amazing."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston said in 2001 the district prosecuted 533 cases. In 2006 that number had grown to 936 prosecutions.

Among the awards, trophies and accolades presented to Orwig Monday, a letter from U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales drew a hearty laugh among the guests.

In light of the controversy surrounding Gonzales' firings of several U.S. Attorneys, Ratcliffe asked Orwig if he wanted to check the letter in private before opening the envelope from the AG at the podium, but then assured the crowd that Orwig was leaving office voluntarily.

The letter contained no pink slip for Orwig, only praise for his accomplishments and years as a government employee.

Stepping into Orwig's shoes, Ratcliffe brings experience as first assistant U.S. Atttorney and chief of anti-terrorism for the Eastern District, which extends across 43 counties from the Oklahoma border to the Gulf of Mexico.

Ratcliffe will serve as acting U.S. attorney, until he and other applicants interview before the Federal Judicial Evaluation committee later this month. Finalists will meet with Republican senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison.

The two Texas senators will make a recommendation to the White House as to who should permanently take the office as the chief law enforcement officer for the Eastern District of Texas. The White House will then set the timetable for appointment and confirmation hearings.

As anti-terrorism chief, Ratcliffe served as the Eastern District's lead prosecutor in domestic and international terrorism matters. He says he will continue to focus on terror prevention as well as violent crime, gun and gang prosecution, crimes against children, corporate fraud and public corruption.

Ratcliffe grew up in Chicago, Ill., and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1986 and SMU School of Law in 1989.

In addition to his work as a federal prosecutor, Ratcliffe has served as an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University law school and at Texas Wesleyan School of Law.