Attorney Generals serve as the top legal officers of their respective states, wielding wide statutory powers. Their primary mission is protecting consumers, tenants, patients, investors, workers and charitable donors while upholding laws to uphold public interest.
As part of their duties, the State Solicitor also advises and defends state officials in suits or civil complaints filed by Governors, executive officers or State’s Attorneys.
The Office of the Attorney General
The Attorney General serves as chief law enforcement officer of the United States and operates as one of the world’s largest legal offices. They represent their country in legal matters when necessary and offer advice and recommendations directly to President and other heads of executive departments when requested. Their responsibility also lies in upholding laws of their country while safeguarding public safety, and guaranteeing fair and equal governance for their countrymen.
The Office of the Attorney General offers 21 specialized legal sections dedicated to criminal investigations and prosecutions, special counsel appointments to state boards and commissions, lawsuit defense for its office and child pornography prosecution. Prosecution cases range from child pornography, cyber-crimes against children, identity theft/terrorism cases to gang activity/fraud in Medicaid programs/environmental crimes prosecution. Furthermore, legal assistance services for crime victims/families is also offered statewide by this division of government.
Letitia James is New York’s 67th Attorney General. As the first woman of color ever elected Attorney General, she is an energetic public servant who fights on behalf of New Yorkers for justice – including record prosecution numbers and protection of women’s reproductive choices and holding sexual predators accountable. Her accomplishments include fighting to ensure fair trial outcomes, protection for reproductive health care decisions by women, and prosecuting sexual predators who pose as sexual abusers.
William Barr was confirmed by the Senate on March 20, 2021 to serve as 85th Attorney General of the United States. An experienced trial lawyer, Barr has had an accomplished career with federal and state law enforcement agencies; including serving as deputy AG under former AG Eric Holder. Additionally, he boasts a proven record in prosecuting complex white-collar crime cases.
Mark R. Herring serves as Virginia Attorney General and enforces consumer protection and environmental laws, prosecutes crimes related to organized crime activities such as gang-related criminality and gang activity, defends Governors and executive agencies in court proceedings and leads efforts against drug overdose deaths that has become an increasing trend in recent years.
Michael E. McConnell is a partner in our Washington, DC office and serves as special counsel to the Attorney General on various civil and criminal issues. A frequent contributor to National Review and other publications, as well as lectures on civil rights and constitutional law he graduated with magna cum laude from both Oregon University and Columbia Law School.
The Office of the Deputy Attorney General
The Office of the Deputy Attorney General is led by its Deputy Attorney General and charged with overseeing and supervising organizational units within the Department. Furthermore, it assists Attorney General in formulating and implementing policies and programs within his department as well as providing overall direction and supervision of legal activities undertaken by him.
The Deputy Attorney General serves as the second-ranking official at the Justice Department and is accountable for overseeing its litigating and policy components, law enforcement agencies, and its 93 U.S. Attorneys. Additionally, this position acts as the Attorney General’s chief advisor on matters important to their mission and is directly accountable to him/her.
As Chief Deputy, the Deputy Attorney General is charged with leading a highly skilled team of attorneys, investigators, and support staff that work every day to protect our State’s residents. These team members work on criminal cases; defend against civil suits; fight for consumer rights and more.
Tish James has dedicated her career to protecting New Yorkers’ interests. She has advocated for LGBTQ youth rights, deterred predatory lenders and safeguarded vulnerable communities by vigorously upholding consumer protection laws. Tish has even traveled across continents advocating for human rights.
Additionally, the Deputy Attorney General and her staff can assist victims of crimes with compensation claims and assist with restraining orders and court issues. Many states also provide victim advocates for assistance during trials or appeals proceedings.
The Attorney General’s Office serves to represent officers, departments, boards, commissions and instrumentalities of state government. This involves everything from making sure citizens can access their government to making sure prisoners receive fair treatment while imprisoned – thus necessitating an intimate knowledge of state government in general as well as specifics such as prisoner treatment in jail – so it must know its inner workings intimately – yet the Office cannot give legal advice directly to private citizens for civil disputes – hence why most attorneys have private practices outside their work with this Office.
The Office of the Assistant Attorney General
Many divisions and offices within the Department of Justice are overseen by an Assistant Attorney General, such as Criminal, Civil Rights, Environment & Natural Resources and Tax Divisions as well as Office of Justice Programs. Each has their own specialty focus while contributing to shaping national policy while prosecuting those who violate laws relevant to that division or office.
An Assistant Attorney General acts as the head lawyer in their assigned area and is supported by career Deputy Attorney Generals (DAAGs). These DAAGs oversee attorneys in their divisions and enforce enforcement matters before providing guidance on legal issues.
Each deputy attorney general (DAAG) oversees a particular area of law, such as antitrust, consumer protection or environmental concerns. Furthermore, they’re accountable for overseeing the legal department at the attorney general’s office as well as cooperating with other departments or agencies.
The Assistant Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to state agencies, colleges and universities, retirement systems and local governments as well as handling statewide civil litigation such as bankruptcies, workers’ compensation claims, professional licensing disputes and habeas corpus actions. Furthermore, this office prosecutes felony cases as well as handles appeals regarding convictions.
Additionally, this office assists county prosecutors with criminal matters and defends state laws from constitutional challenges. Furthermore, they are dedicated to combatting sexual violence that stems from unequal power relationships that inhibit police from effectively serving our communities.
The Attorney General’s Office also advocates on behalf of people and businesses alike, representing consumers against unfair business practices while upholding state antitrust laws and protecting charitable institutions and regulating utilities. Furthermore, its mission also encompasses combatting climate change through supporting clean energy production while protecting public health and fostering an economic foundation that works for all.
Attorneys interested in becoming assistant attorneys general should visit the Justice Department website to gather more information on becoming one. The Office of the Attorney General seeks candidates with leadership potential and outstanding legal skills who will dedicate themselves to securing that role.
The Office of the Chief Deputy Attorney General
The Office of the Chief Deputy Attorney General acts as an advisor to the Attorney General on matters of legal, policy, programmatic, ethical and operational significance. As part of OAG’s Senior Leadership Team and in close coordination with legal community colleagues and non-legal colleagues across California.
The Chief Deputy Attorney General is appointed by the Governor and oversees all offices of the attorney general. These include public advocacy, criminal prosecution, child protection, economic justice and environmental and health issues as well as defending the State against lawsuits or legal proceedings that arise; additionally this office handles legislative investigations and matters concerning these subjects.
As a senior member of the Office of the Attorney General, the Chief Deputy Attorney General possesses extensive knowledge in all aspects of state legal affairs. This includes being able to analyze and interpret legislation, regulations, rules, deeds contracts or any other legal documents that arise within state government. Furthermore, she has an in-depth understanding of administration as well as being familiar with budgeting and fiscal law for State budgeting purposes.
This position demands high levels of skill, judgment and independence. Often directly engaged in litigation or negotiations over major Statewide issues; she/he must also function with great independence to keep their boss informed on key cases or situations; sometimes they even receive special assignments which require specific skillset.
Michael Henry earned numerous recognitions and awards during his time serving as First Deputy Attorney General under former Attorney General Josh Shapiro, including becoming an inductee into the American College of Trial Lawyers as well as receiving Widener University Commonwealth Law School’s 2017 Excellence in Public Service Alumni Award.
The Office of the Attorney General serves New Yorkers by upholding laws that protect consumers, tenants, patients, workers, investors and investors; upholding economic and social justice; encouraging harm-reduction public health strategies and conserving our environment. Furthermore, this office prosecutes white collar crimes, investigates government corruption cases and advocates on behalf of vulnerable populations.
