New York State Attorney General

The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.

The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman. He was elected on November 2, 2010 and took office on January 1, 2011.

Functions

The Attorney General advises the Executive branch of State government and defends actions and proceedings on behalf of the State. The Attorney General acts independently of the Governor of New York.

Organization

The legal functions of the Department of Law are divided primarily into five major divisions: Appeals and Opinions, State Counsel, Criminal Justice, Economic Justice and Social Justice.

First Deputy Attorney General

• Harlan Levy,^[1] (2011-)

Solicitor General

• O. Peter Sherwood (1986–1991)^[2]
• Jerry Boone (1991–1994)^[3]
• Victoria A. Graffeo (1995–1996)
• Barbara Gott Billet (1996–1998)^[4]
• Preeta D. Bansal (1999–2001)
• Caitlin Halligan (2001–2007)
• Barbara D. Underwood (since 2007)

Terms of Office

• From 1684 to 1777, when New York was under the British colonial government, the Attorney General was appointed by the British crown, or the colonial governor on its behalf. In 1693, the Attorney General earned a salary of 50 pounds.
• From 1777 to 1822, the Attorney General was appointed by the Council of Appointment.
• From 1823 to 1846, the Attorney General was elected by the New York State Legislature for a three-year term..
• Attorneys General have been elected by the voters since 1847.

List of New York State Attorneys General

See also

• New York Attorney General elections

References

External links

• Office of the Attorney General
• About the Attorney General

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