Attorney generals serve as advocates for the public on both state and federal levels by representing their interests during administrative hearings, proposing legislation and initiating investigations; in addition, they keep government accountable by filing suits against agencies who overstep their authority.
Sessions was born and educated at Huntingdon College and the University of Alabama in Selma. His confirmation would mark a return to an overwhelmingly white male tradition of attorneys general after years of diversifying appointments.
1. Number of states
State attorneys general serve a vital role in their states. As chief legal officers for their respective jurisdictions, they advise government agencies and legislatures, represent public interests and may prosecute criminal cases; though this responsibility varies depending on each state. They are usually elected, though some governors appoint them; typically their terms last four years.
One-size-fits-all claims about whether state AGs must or shouldn’t defend their states’ laws, such as those surrounding bans on same-sex marriage, demonstrate an alarming apathy towards states’ power to shape their offices as they see fit. Meanwhile, claims that all AGs may decline defending federal law can only come from an ignorance of their powers and duties. At DLA Piper’s State Attorneys General practice we work with numerous clients on investigations and litigation both state and federal levels, such as suits against large corporations in areas like fraud antitrust consumer protection etc.
2. Number of attorneys general
As advocates for their constituents, state attorneys general have various tools they can utilize to further policy initiatives and protect public interests. Their offices can be utilized to propose legislation, testify at hearings, write letters to officials or even take assertive actions against federal or state agencies.
Once political opportunism and opportunity come together, these tools can be put to good use. Party polarization such as that which led to recent refusals of same-sex marriage bans likely will spur other duty-to-defend controversies in the future.
Morrison Foerster’s practice group dedicated to attorneys general (AG) matters includes former state prosecutors and government lawyers with experience handling high-profile investigations and regulatory affairs. We assist clients with sensitive, high-profile investigations and litigation relating to data privacy, consumer protection, securities fraud, and other topics relevant to their state AG office. Listen in weekly to our State AG Pulse podcast; also, visit our State Litigation and AG Actions Database for updates!
3. Number of states with an attorney general
State attorneys general are elected by their constituents and serve as “people’s lawyers.” Their primary responsibility is defending state laws and championing public interests, with several strategies available for doing this effectively – for instance ACS’s AG Action Database shows how their offices may use different tools to facilitate just transition away from fossil fuels.
Enforcement attorneys also play a role in proposing legislation, testifying at hearings and writing letters to federal agencies on policy initiatives – such as consumer protection or worker rights advocacy.
Qualifications for this position depend on your state and may include age, citizenship status, residency requirements, registered voting status registration status registration status registration voting status registration voting registration registration voting registration bar admission etc. Some states prohibit candidates from running multiple campaigns concurrently.
4. Number of attorney generals in the U.S.
Attorney generals serve as both the state’s top law enforcement official and top legal advisor, often drawing upon diverse professional backgrounds ranging from prior law enforcement experience, prosecutorial duties or elected official appointments before becoming attorneys general; many also possess extensive private practice experience.
Janet Reno became the first female attorney general and led the department throughout President Bill Clinton’s presidency.
Edwin Meese served as attorney general under President Ronald Reagan. A veteran of World War II and graduate of University of Chicago Law School, Meese returned to private law practice after leaving office and died of kidney failure three years later in 2009. Since then, most nominees for these posts have been white men; this trend appears to continue with Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions being nominated by Trump.
