3 State Attorney General Authority and Culture: Jan. 26, 2026 3 State Attorney General Authority and Culture: Jan. 26, 2026

3.1 Introduction 3.1 Introduction

State attorneys general have a long history and broad authority. The readings also emphasize the additonal role of the AG to represent not just the state as a client, but also the public interest, and how that interest may lead to conflict with other state actors, such as the legislature.

3.2 Overview of Responsibility 3.2 Overview of Responsibility

3.2.1 AG 101 - Jim Tierney's Introduction to the World of State Attorneys General (Jan. 17, 2024) 3.2.1 AG 101 - Jim Tierney's Introduction to the World of State Attorneys General (Jan. 17, 2024)

3.2.2. Walter Mondale, The Good Fight, Chapter 1 (2010) (edited)

Walter Mondale, The Good Fight, Chapter 1 (2010) (edited)

3.2.3. Paul Wilson, A Time to Lose: Representing Kansas in Brown v. Board of Education (1995) (excerpts)

Paul Wilson, A Time to Lose: Representing Kansas in Brown v. Board of Education (1995) (excerpts)

3.3 Overview of Authority 3.3 Overview of Authority

3.3.1. State v. Lead Industries Ass'n, 951 A.2d 428 (2008) (Track III) (edited)

State v. Lead Industries Ass'n, 951 A.2d 428 (2008) (Track III) (edited)

3.3.2. Amicus Memorandum of Former Members of the NH AG Office (May 23, 2011)

Amicus Memorandum of Former Members of the NH AG Office (May 23, 2011)

3.3.3. Theodore Eisenberg and Richard Ieyoub, State Attorney General Actions, the Tobacco Litigation and the Doctrine of Parens Patriae, 74 Tul. L. Rev. 1859 (2000) (edited)

Theodore Eisenberg and Richard Ieyoub, State Attorney General Actions, the Tobacco Litigation and the Doctrine of Parens Patriae, 74 Tul. L. Rev. 1859 (2000) (edited)

3.4 Pushback on Responsibility and Authority 3.4 Pushback on Responsibility and Authority

3.4.1. Wasden's good deeds don't go unpunished, Lewiston Tribune (May 21, 2021)

Wasden's good deeds don't go unpunished, Lewiston Tribune (May 21, 2021)

3.4.2. Frustrated by COVID lawsuits, MO Senate committee cuts AG's budget, KCUR (Apr. 22, 2022)

Frustrated by COVID lawsuits, MO Senate committee cuts AG's budget, KCUR (Apr. 22, 2022)

3.5 Supplemental Reading 3.5 Supplemental Reading

3.5.1. IN AG Zoeller leaves attorney general role with legacy in public health, Tribune Star (Dec. 25, 2016)

IN AG Zoeller leaves attorney general role with legacy in public health, Tribune Star (Dec. 25, 2016)

3.5.2. CT AG Jepson's art of the deal, Ct. Post (Dec. 3, 2017)

CT AG Jepson's art of the deal, Ct. Post (Dec. 3, 2017)

3.5.3. IA AG Tom Miller's Career Helped Reshape the Nation's Legal Landscape, Governing (Jan. 3, 2023)

IA AG Tom Miller's Career Helped Reshape the Nation's Legal Landscape, Governing (Jan. 3, 2023)

3.5.4. In a State Notorious for Scandal, Corruption Fighters Are Targeted, N.Y. Times (Jan. 19, 2026)

In a State Notorious for Scandal, Corruption Fighters Are Targeted, N.Y. Times (Jan. 19, 2026)