Former Seattleite Wants NYC's Top Law & Order Gig

Will the next New York City district attorney be a lawyer from Seattle? Cyrus Vance Jr., son of President Jimmy Carter's Secretary of State, is running for the job, having moved back to his native NYC in 2004 after 16 years of practice here (he's still a member of the Washington State bar).

Vance came to Seattle in 1988 to make a name for himself independent of his father's influence, he said. Besides his law practice, he taught trial advocacy at Seattle University's School of Law. He's remembered for some high-profile clients, including Mary Kay Letourneau's victim/husband Vili Fualaau in his suit against Highline schools, ousted University of Washington football coach Rick Neuheisel, and Dr. William Scheyer— aka "the Candy Man"—the UW softball team doctor accused of dispensing narcotics to players. Vance also aided the state's Office of Family and Children in its investigation of the Wenatchee sex-ring cases.

He's campaigning to replace the fabled Robert Morgenthau, Vance's boss in the mid-'80s, who is retiring after 35 years. (Morgenthau is the inspiration for the D.A. on TV's popular Law & Order, a seat currently held by the actor Sam Waterston.) Vance is being challenged by a judge and a former New York City assistant district attorney.

Morgenthau hasn't officially endorsed anyone, but in an April appearance on the Charlie Rose Show, he said: "I think Vance is by far the best qualified. Good lawyer, fair."