Tani Downing, legal counsel to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. for the past two years, will not be part of governor-to-be Gary Herbert's administration.

Downing has notified Herbert that she would leave her post as part of the transition, expected Aug. 10.

"For Tani, this was just an opportunity to have a change of pace for her career, and obviously the timing was just appropriate to do it now," said Huntsman's spokeswoman, Lisa Roskelley.

Downing was a key figure in negotiating a major liquor-reform bill during the past legislative session that ultimately did away with Utah's private-club laws.

Before Huntsman selected her in March 2007, Downing was general counsel for the Department of Workforce Services and later the department's executive director.

She spent seven years as an associate general counsel for the Legislature, drafting bills affecting public utilities, weapons, taxes, energy and natural resources and economic development.

Herbert's transition director, Jason Perry, said last month that they had anticipated Downing would stay. Her replacement has not been named.

Robert Gehrke