From left, James Tierney, Andrea Campbell, Peter Neronha, and Charity Clark. Photo by Reba Saldanha at “The People’s Lawyer: The Impact of State Attorneys General,” panel discussion at the Rappaport Center, Boston College Law School, February 7, 2024.

The People’s Lawyer

“Although each described countless challenges they face on a daily basis, all four speakers agreed that they wouldn’t trade their jobs for the world.”

— Sean Doolittle, “The Consummate Public Servant,” BC Law, February 14, 2024.

AG 101

An introduction to the history, structure and function of the office of state attorney general.

AG 101

AG Ethics

Attorneys general have varied responsibilities that are defined by their constitutions, statutes and the common law. It is often difficult to define the ethical duties of their office, especially in light of their dual capacities as representatives of the public interest, while defending various organs of state government. What are the ethical duties of a state attorney general when these dual roles conflict?

 
AG Ethics

Teaching

The Role of the State Attorney General

James E. Tierney has been teaching a seminar on the role of the state attorney general since 2000 when it was first offered at Columbia Law School. The current iteration of the course, taught with with former Maine Solicitor General Peter Brann, is being offered at Harvard Law School and also taught in over twenty law schools.

 
Teaching About the Role of the State AG

James E. Tierney

StateAG.org was founded and is led by Professor James E. Tierney, the former Maine Attorney General (1980-1990) and former Director of the National State Attorneys General Program at Columbia Law School (2003-2016).

Mr. Tierney is currently a Lecturer-in-Law at Harvard Law School, where he also serves as a clinic director.

More about Prof Tierney