what is the job of an attorney general?

by Stone Lemke 7 min read

Job Description of an Attorney General

  • Attorney General Job Description. The attorney general is the top legal officer in a state, commonwealth or territory of the United States.
  • Education Requirements. The first step toward becoming an attorney general is a law degree, which is three years of specialized education beyond the bachelor's degree.
  • Work Environment. ...
  • Salary and Job Outlook. ...

Full Answer

What are the responsibilities of the US Attorney General?

While varying from one jurisdiction to the next due to statutory and constitutional mandates, the role of attorney general typically includes: Issuing formal opinions to state agencies. Acting as public advocates in areas such as child support enforcement, consumer protections, antitrust and utility regulation. Proposing legislation.

What are the general duties for being a lawyer?

As head of the Department of Justice and chief legal counsel to the president, the duties of the attorney general are obviously important and wide reaching. The attorney general prosecutes cases that involve the government and gives advice to the president and heads of the executive departments when needed.

What is the purpose of the Attorney General?

Mar 23, 2010 · The attorney general is in charge of supervising United States attorneys and marshals in their respective judicial districts. While attorneys are responsible for prosecuting offenses against the United States and prosecuting or defending in proceedings in which the United States requires representation, marshals issue orders and processes under the …

What can the Attorney General do for me?

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What is the job of attorney general?

Being the highest law officer of the country, it is the duty of the attorney general to advise the government on legal matters that are referred to him by the president. He is also duty-bound to undertake any responsibilities of duties of legal character that are assigned to him by the president.Jan 4, 2022

What power does the US attorney general have?

As the chief officer of the Department of Justice, the attorney general enforces federal laws, provides legal counsel in federal cases, interprets the laws that govern executive departments, heads federal jails and penal institutions, and examines alleged violations of federal laws.

Does the attorney general represent the President?

The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters, advises the President and the heads of the executive departments of the government, and occasionally appears in person before the Supreme Court.

Who reports to the US Attorney General?

President of the United StatesUnited States Attorney GeneralMember ofCabinet National Security CouncilReports toPresident of the United StatesSeatRobert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building Washington, D.C.AppointerPresident of the United States with United States Senate advice and consent13 more rows

What does the US Attorney General investigate?

AGs investigate and bring actions under their states' respective unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices laws (“UDAP laws”). UDAP laws tend to broadly prohibit “deceptive” or “unconscionable” acts against consumers.

Is the attorney general over the Supreme Court?

Attorney general offices therefore play an active role before the Supreme Court. Collectively, they are the second most active litigant before the Court, behind only the U.S. government. ... State governments sometimes attempt to enforce constitutional limits on federal power by challenging federal laws.

Who was the attorney general under Trump?

Jeff SessionsOfficial portrait, 201784th United States Attorney GeneralIn office February 9, 2017 – November 7, 2018PresidentDonald Trump33 more rows

What is the supreme law of the land?

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any ...

What is the role of an attorney general?

As chief legal officers of the states, commonwealths, District of Columbia, and territories of the United States, the role of an attorney general is to serve as counselor to state government agencies and legislatures, and as a representative of the public interest.

What is the People's Lawyer podcast?

The People’s Lawyer is a biweekly podcast from NAAG that explores the role of state and territory attorneys general as chief legal officers and their work protecting the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.

What is the role of a public advocate?

Issuing formal opinions to state agencies. Acting as public advocates in areas such as child support enforcement, consumer protections, antitrust and utility regulation. Proposing legislation. Enforcing federal and state environmental laws. Representing the state and state agencies before the state and federal courts.

What is the job of the Attorney General?

The attorney general serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United Stateson all legal matters. The attorney general is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States.

Is "general" a noun?

The title "attorney general" is an example of a noun (attorney) followed by a postpositive adjective(general).[8]". General" is a description of the type of attorney, not a title or rank in itself (as it would be in the military).[8]

What does the Attorney General do?

The attorney general prosecutes cases that involve the government and gives advice to the president and heads of the executive departments when needed. As the chief officer of the Department of Justice, the attorney general enforces federal laws, provides legal counsel in federal cases, interprets the laws that govern executive departments, ...

Who is the attorney general appointed by?

Some attorneys general are elected in statewide contests, while others are appointed by the governor, legislature or supreme court. The projects that an attorney general can take on are wide ranging.

What is the role of an attorney?

While attorneys are responsible for prosecuting offenses against the United States and prosecuting or defending in proceedings in which the United States requires representation, marshals issue orders and processes under the authority of the United States.

What is an attorney general?

Administrative Job Descriptions. An attorney general is the chief legal advisor and law enforcement officer in a jurisdiction. The individual filling the position has a number of important responsibilities and usually has a term limit as prescribed by a state's constitution.

How much does Jeff Sessions make?

As of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions earns $230,700 per year, the same as the other members of the president's cabinet. Florida's Attorney General Pam Bondi earns about $128,000 per year. The salary for an attorney general is not readily available, although most state offices provide information on salary ranges encompassing all job titles ...

Where is the Attorney General's office located?

The office of the attorney general is located in the capital of the jurisdiction in which he or she serves. In many states, there are also regional offices that make services and information more accessible to the public.

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How Does One Become Attorney General?

  • The position of Attorney General is an appointed one, nominated by the president and confirmed by the United States Senate. There is also a succession plan in place in the event there is no Attorney General due to absence or death, which allows the Deputy Attorney General to assume …
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What Are The Most Important Powers of The Attorney General?

  • The Attorney General will provide advice and guidance to the president and other high ranking officials regarding the law and how it should be implemented. This provides the Attorney General with a great deal of power, as they would have the ability to shape how laxly or punitively the law is to be applied. As the Justice Department has such wide-reaching tentacles of power in matter…
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Who Is The Current Attorney General?

  • William Barr is the current Attorney General of the United States. He replaced Jeff Sessions in 2019 after President Trump fired Sessions. Barr has served as Attorney General twice, once during the George H.W. Bush administration from 1991 to 1993, and currently in the Trump administration. Barr has been consistent in his determination that the Executive branch claims a…
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What Agencies Are Under The Department of Justice?

  • The Department of Justice is responsible for most of the legal business of the government, and therefore, many of the law enforcement agencies throughout the country. There are six litigating divisions in the department: 1. Antitrust 2. Civil 3. Civil Rights 4. Criminal 5. Environmental and Natural Resources 6. Tax Each division is headed up by an Assistant Attorney General, and man…
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History of The Attorney General

  • The Office of the Attorney General was createdin 1789 and was intended to be a one-person position. The person in the position was supposed to be “learned in the law” and was tasked with conducting all suits in the Supreme Court and advising the president and cabinet in law-related matters. The work quickly grew, requiring the addition of multiple assistants and private attorne…
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List of Attorneys General

  1. William Barr, 2019 – Present
  2. Jeff Sessions, 2017 – 2018
  3. Loretta Lynch, 2015 – 2017
  4. Eric Holder, Jr., 2009 – 2015
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The Rantt Rundown

  • The Department of Justice, created in 1789, has grown from a part-time, one-person office to become the world’s largest law office, encompassing sixty different agencies and offices. The Attorney General is in charge of the Department and is responsible for all aspects of the Justice Department. The head of this vast bureaucracy has enough impact to shape the way laws are tr…
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Attorney General Job Duties

  • Typical duties and responsibilities of attorneys general include: 1. Enforcing and representing state laws and regulations in civil and criminal cases 2. Managing the state’s law enforcement agencies; appointing, investigating, or disciplining officers; reviewing their reports; and attending public police functions as representatives of the state 3. Representing the state in tri
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Attorney General Salary

  • The median annual wage for attorneys general is $115,804. The highest earners are bringing home more than $175,000 per year.
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Attorney General Skills

  • An attorney general needs to have a lot of different skills. They need the following: Leadership skills:An attorney general must be able to lead a large group of people and manage a lot of responsibilities. Research skills:An attorney general must be able to research laws and legal cases in order to provide advice to the government. Judgment skills:An attorney general must b…
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Attorney General Work Environment

  • A job as Attorney General can be extremely demanding. The work hours are typically long and often irregular, with no set schedule. Attorney Generals have to spend a lot of time preparing for their cases, so there is little time off during the weekdays. This job can be very stressful at times, as it involves confronting individuals or companies accused of breaking laws and regulations. M…
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Attorney General Career Advancement

  • Someone in the position of Attorney General can advance into US Attorney, federal judge, or Attorney General of another state. If you’re interested in pursuing one of these opportunities, it’s important that you leave a successful footprint, and consider furthering your education. Due to the influential and senior nature of the Attorney General position, one could also become a politician…
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Attorney General Trends

  • Here are two trends influencing how attorney generals work. Attorney generals will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace. In today’s increasingly connected world, cybercrime is a growing threat that all businesses need to be aware of. As a result, attorney generals have been charged …
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Overview

The United States attorney general (AG) leads the United States Department of Justice, and is the chief lawyer of the federal government of the United States. The attorney general serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all legal matters. The attorney general is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States.

History

Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789 which, among other things, established the Office of the Attorney General. The original duties of this officer were "to prosecute and conduct all suits in the Supreme Court in which the United States shall be concerned, and to give his advice and opinion upon questions of law when required by the president of the United States, or when requested by the heads of any of the departments". Some of these duties have since been transferred to the U…

Presidential transition

It is the practice for the attorney general, along with the other Cabinet secretaries and high-level political appointees of the President, to tender a resignation with effect on the Inauguration Day (January 20) of a new president. The deputy attorney general is also expected to tender a resignation, but is commonly requested to stay on and act as the attorney general pending the confirmation by the Senate of the new attorney general.

Line of succession

U.S.C. Title 28, §508 establishes the first two positions in the line of succession, while allowing the attorney general to designate other high-ranking officers of the Department of Justice as subsequent successors. Furthermore, an Executive Order defines subsequent positions, the most recent from March 31, 2017, signed by President Donald Trump. The current line of succession is:
1. United States Deputy Attorney General

See also

• Executive Order 13787 for "Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Justice"

Attorney General Job Description

  • The attorney general is the top legal officer in a state, commonwealth or territory of the United States. At the federal level, the attorney general is one of 15 members comprising the president's cabinet. Although duties vary among jurisdictions, powers of the attorney general typically include the authority to issue formal opinions, propose legislation, serve as public advocates, handle cri
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Education Requirements

  • The first step toward becoming an attorney general is a law degree, which is three years of specialized education beyond the bachelor's degree. You don't need a specific major for application to law school. Experts in law school admissions encourage students to pursue a rigorous course of undergraduate study that meshes with their talents and interests. Admission …
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Work Environment

  • The office of the attorney general is located in the capital of the jurisdiction in which he or she serves. In many states, there are also regional offices that make services and information more accessible to the public. An attorney general's office is staffed with the deputy and associate attorneys general, lawyers, professionals such as social workers and advocates, paralegals and …
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Salary and Job Outlook

  • As of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions earns $230,700 per year, the same as the other members of the president's cabinet. Florida's Attorney General Pam Bondi earns about $128,000 per year. The salary for an attorney general is not readily available, although most state offices provide information on salary ranges encompassing all job titles within the office of attorney ge…
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