Massachusetts Attorney General


The Massachusetts attorney general is an elected constitutionally defined executive officer of the Massachusetts government. The officeholder is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The officeholder also acts as an advocate and resource for the Commonwealth and its residents in many areas, including consumer protection, combating fraud and corruption, protecting civil rights, and maintaining economic competition. The current attorney general is Andrea Campbell.
WWW ago.state.ma.us

Qualifications

Any person seeking to become the attorney general of Massachusetts must meet the following requirements:
  • Be at least eighteen years of age
  • Be a registered voter in Massachusetts
  • Be a Massachusetts resident for at least five years when elected
  • Receive 10,000 signatures from registered voters on nomination papers
  • Be a member of the Massachusetts Bar

History

When the 1780 state constitution was first enacted, the attorney general was appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Governor's Council. The office was abolished in 1843 and re-established in 1849. In 1855 the constitution was amended so that the attorney general was elected by the people. The length of the term of office has matched that of the governor, and elections are held concurrently with those for other constitutional office. Elections were first held annually, became biennial in 1920, and quadrennial in 1966.

Organization

The Office of the Attorney General is organized into six bureaus: Executive; Energy and Environmental; Criminal; Government; Health Care and Fair Competition; and Public Protection and Advocacy. Each bureau is divided into divisions and teams. These bureaus and divisions have distinct missions but work closely together to ensure the Attorney General's Office provides the highest level of public protection.

List of attorneys general

[Province of Massachusetts Bay]

Office established at the start of Queen Anne's War in 1702.
#NameTerm of service
1Paul Dudley1702–1718
2John Valentine1718–1720
3Thomas Newton1720–1721
–Vacant1721–1722
4John Overing1722–1723
–Vacant1723–1725
5John Read1725–1728
6Joseph Hiller1728–1729
7John Overing1729–1736
8William Brattle1736–1738
9John Overing1739–1748
10Edmund Trowbridge1749–1767
11Jeremiah Gridley1767
–Vacant1767
12Jonathan Sewall1767–1774
–Vacant1774–1776
13Benjamin Kent1776–1777
14Robert Treat Paine1777–1780

Commonwealth of Massachusetts">Massachusetts">Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Office reestablished upon the ratification of the Constitution of Massachusetts in 1780.
Maura Healey currently resides in Arlington, MA.