The U.S. Department of Justice reportedly has begun its work on President Obama's nomination of a new U.S. attorney for North Mississippi.

Reports from informed sources continue to say the choice will be Booneville native Christi R. McCoy, 40, who practices in Oxford.

McCoy is expected soon to receive a packet of forms with questions about her life, finances and legal practice. She’ll complete them for DOJ scrutiny, and if that vetting goes well, she’ll be interviewed personally in the nation’s capital.

The U.S. attorney is the federal government’s chief lawyer for the region and investigates and prosecutes various criminal and civil cases.

McCoy declined to comment on the report. The sources asked not to be identified because of their employment. If confirmed, she would become Mississippi’s first female U.S. attorney.

Any U.S. attorney nomination by the White House must be approved by the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Roger Wicker’s office said it didn’t have any information yet on the report, and spokesmen for Sen. Thad Cochran and U.S. Rep. Travis Childers did not respond to Daily Journal questions about what they might know about developments.

President Obama’s choice will succeed Republican James Greenlee and manage the office and its staff in Oxford. The office’s work stretches throughout the northern part of the state.

No information was available Monday on how the process is moving to fill the Southern Mississippi post vacated by the resignation of Dunn Lampton, although early informed reports said Natchez attorney Deborah A. McDonald is a top contender.

Contact Patsy R. Brumfield at (662) 678-1596 or patsy.brumfield@djournal.com.