Letitia James
Letitia Ann “Tish” James is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 67th Attorney General of New York, a position she has held since January 1, 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the first Black person and the first woman to be elected as New York’s Attorney General, as well as the first Black woman to hold statewide office in New York. Known for her high-profile legal battles against powerful entities and figures—including U.S. President Donald Trump and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo—she has established herself as a prominent and formidable figure in American politics.
Personal & Educational Background:
-
- Birth Date: October 18, 1958 (Age: 67).
- Hometown: Born and raised in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York.
- Family: Grew up as one of eight children born to working-class parents.
- Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lehman College (1982).
- Law Degree: Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Howard University School of Law (1987).
Career Timeline:
-
- Public Defender: Began her legal career at the Legal Aid Society.
- Regional AG Head: Directed the Brooklyn Regional Office for the New York State Attorney General.
- NYC City Council: Represented Brooklyn’s 35th District from 2004 to 2013.
- NYC Public Advocate: Served as the city’s watchdog from 2014 to 2018, becoming the first woman of color elected to citywide office in New York City.
- NY Attorney General: Assumed office in 2019 and is currently seeking re-election for a third term in the November 2026 general election.
Major Legal Cases & Political Actions:
-
- Donald Trump & The Trump Organization: In 2024, James successfully spearheaded a civil fraud lawsuit against Donald Trump, his family business, and his associates for inflating his net worth to secure favorable loan terms. The court initially issued an enforcement penalty exceeding $500 million; though the financial penalty was later overturned, the core finding of fraudulent valuation was upheld.
- Andrew Cuomo Investigation: In 2021, James oversaw an independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations against then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, culminating in a report that ultimately led to his resignation.
- Opioid Litigation: Secured billions of dollars in settlements from major pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors for their roles in fueling the opioid epidemic across New York.
- Legislative Defenses: Routinely utilizes affirmative litigation to challenge corporate misconduct, protect children’s online data safety, target predatory landlords, and restrict illegal firearms.
2025 Indictment and Dismissal:
In October 2025, James faced federal charges alleging that she made false statements and engaged in bank fraud on a 2020 mortgage application for a personal property in Virginia. James maintained her innocence and pleaded not guilty. The indictment was subsequently dismissed after a U.S. district judge ruled that the special prosecutor assigned to the case by the Trump administration had been unlawfully appointed. A subsequent attempt by federal authorities to secure a second indictment in December 2025 failed when a grand jury declined to bring charges.
