New York Attorney General

New Yorkers trust the Attorney General to protect their rights by upholding laws that safeguard consumers, investors, tenants and patients, charitable donors, workers and the environment. In addition, she defends New York State as well as its officers and agencies and appears before federal courts on behalf of the United States.

Letitia “Tish” James was elected the 67th Attorney General in 2013. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Letitia is known for being an outstanding public defender.

State Office

As head of New York State’s Department of Law, the Attorney General serves as guardian of New Yorkers’ legal rights and chief legal counsel for New York state. They lead a diverse team of over 1,700 staff spread throughout offices statewide to protect consumers, investors, charitable donors, wages-earners, the environment, public health and natural resources of New York state.

The office’s statewide civil justice mission is carried out by its Civil Rights Bureau and divisions, who work to ensure every person in New York receives equal protection under law. Furthermore, they investigate discrimination that affects New Yorkers’ access to housing, employment services and enjoying other aspects of community life; specifically investigating instances based on race, gender, sexual orientation religion and disability throughout all five boroughs of New York state.

City Hall

Attorney General of New York and State Chief Legal Officer. As such, their office serves New Yorkers by upholding laws which protect consumers and investors, civil rights donors, wage earners, wage recipients and the environment. The Attorney General provides advice to state government’s executive branch as well as defends actions or proceedings on its behalf. The regional offices of the Attorney General are actively involved in their communities they represent, addressing issues of economic and social justice while conducting community outreach and representing New York state in court cases. The Office of the Attorney General is dedicated to upholding excellence and integrity in everything it does, employing over 1,700 staff across all 50 states as investigators, analysts, scientists, forensic accountants and assistant attorneys general.

Each regional office is led by an attorney-in-charge and supported by assistant attorneys general who specialize in civil, criminal and administrative law matters.

Legislative Offices

The Legislature serves as the law-making branch of state government. Composed of two chambers–Senate and Assembly–each house elects its members for two-year terms; per the Constitution, Senate members may serve up to two consecutive two-year terms before election is required again. There are currently 63 members in Senate while 150 in Assembly; in cases of tie votes, Lieutenant Governor has casting vote power over both chambers to break them.

As head of New York’s Department of Law, the Attorney General serves as New York State’s top legal officer and protector of its citizens, businesses, organizations and natural resources. Their office prosecutes actions both against and for New York State while providing advice to executive branch officials regarding legal matters as well as defending any proceedings brought against the state in legal disputes or proceedings brought by third parties.

Regional offices carry out the Attorney General’s essential defensive, regulatory and affirmative justice functions throughout the state. Their investigators conduct investigations to protect consumers, tenants, workers, investors, charitable donors, the environment and communities they serve.

Office of the Public Advocate

The public advocate position is an elected representative who acts as a bridge between electors and city government, effectively acting as an advocate for residents in New York City. They oversee city agencies, investigate citizens’ complaints about city services, make legislative or policy proposals to address perceived deficiencies and are appointed presiding officer at City Council stated meetings – with non-voting status but the ability to introduce legislation.

Regional offices of the Attorney General provide local community affairs support, investigate and prosecute crimes, assist New Yorkers with issues like consumer fraud, tenant rights disputes, charitable donations and workers’ compensation claims, among other matters. Each office is led by an Attorney in Charge who oversees their staff of Assistant Attorneys General.

Jumaane Williams, the city’s inaugural Black Public Advocate is currently leading this office. For more information about his or her efforts please visit the Office’s website.