Detailed Roadmap to Core Readings

The first item on the syllabus is a video from Jim Tierney. It provides an overview to the entire course. The first reading is part of the first chapter of Walter Mondale's memoir (former vice president, losing presidential candidate, long, long ago), which describes his work as the MN AG. This excerpt covers many of the topics contained in this casebook and should be read carefully.

The next reading is an excerpt from Paul Wilson's memoir, who was the AAG who argued on behalf of Kansas in Brown v. Board of Education. Ask yourself whether he did the right thing.

The State v. Lead Industries case excerpt contains soaring rhetoric about the role of the AG, and the NH memo lays out the same case in less flowery language. You should ask whether the rhetoric matches the reality, especially in light of the actions taken by the MO and ID legislatures when they thought the AG wasn't doing the right thing. The AG candidate debate in ID is worth a watch because it captures the competing views of the role of the AG.

Finally, in addition to their common law, statutory, and constitutional powers, AGs usually have parens patriae authority to protect the state's quasi-sovereign interests (whatever those are). Ask yourself if that makes any sense, and what, if any, standard should apply to guide their actions.