Office of the Attorney General

The position of Attorney General was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789 as a one-person, part-time position. However, the workload quickly became too much for one person. For a time, private attorneys were retained to assist the Attorney General. In June 1870, Congress enacted a law entitled “An Act to Establish the Department of Justice,” with the Attorney General as head of the new executive department. This Act gave the Attorney General direction and control of U.S. Attorneys and all other counsel employed on behalf of the United States.

The mission of the Office of the Attorney General is to supervise and direct the administration and operation of the 40 components comprising the Department of Justice.

The principal duties of the Attorney General are to:

• Represent the United States in legal matters.
   
• Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions, and bureaus that comprise the Department.
   
• Furnish advice and opinions, formal and informal, on legal matters to the President and the Cabinet and to the heads of the executive departments and agencies of the government, as provided by law.
   
• Make recommendations to the President concerning appointments to federal judicial positions and to positions within the Department, including U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals.
   
• Represent or supervise the representation of the United States Government in the Supreme Court of the United States and all other courts, foreign and domestic, in which the United States is a party or has an interest as may be deemed appropriate.
   
• Perform or supervise the performance of other duties required by statute or Executive Order.