Fired U.S. Attorney McKay honored by state bar association

Within a year's time, former U.S. Attorney John McKay has been both sacked and honored for his contributions to the local legal community -- two distinctions seemingly at odds.

But in light of U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' resignation last month, McKay's year of extremes makes sense, and Thursday night he accepted the Washington State Bar Association's Courageous Award with a subtle nod and a small smile.

Outgoing state bar association President Ellen Dial handed McKay the award, saying he served with dignity and honor "in the face of controversy."

McKay was one of eight federal prosecutors around the country who were dismissed under Gonzales.

The attorney general was a popular target for critics of the Bush administration, especially after Senate Democrats accused him of perjury in sworn statements about a 2004 confrontation in which top Justice Department officials threatened to resign over a secret intelligence operation.

When the Gonzales eventually resigned, McKay told the Seattle P-I he "has been an embarrassment" to the Justice Department.

"I had high hopes for Alberto Gonzales, and he has disappointed me tremendously," McKay said in August.

The Courageous Award, presented at the bar association's annual award dinner, is bestowed yearly on an attorney who "displayed exceptional courage in the face of adversity," according to state bar officials.

Thursday was the third time McKay has been honored by the state association. In 1995, he was given the Pro Bono Award, and in 2001 he received the association's highest honor -- the Award of Merit.

After leaving the U.S. attorney post at the end of 2006, McKay accepted a visiting professorship at Seattle University. He also is a senior vice president and general council for Fremont-based Getty Images.

Former King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng, who died earlier this year, also was honored at the award dinner. His wife, Judy, and son Mark accepted the Angelo Petruss Award for Lawyers in Public Service on his behalf.

"Earlier this year, we lost a giant in our legal system," Dial said.