If you’ve lived in New York for more than five minutes, you’ve likely seen the name Letitia "Tish" James. She isn’t just some quiet bureaucrat tucked away in an office in Albany. Since taking office in 2019, she has become one of the most visible—and, frankly, most polarizing—legal figures in the entire country.
So, who is the NY State Attorney General exactly?
Currently, the seat is held by Letitia James. She is the 67th person to hold the title, but her tenure has been anything but "standard." As of January 2026, she remains at the helm of the New York Attorney General’s (NYAG) office, navigating a landscape that feels more like a legal thriller than a government website.
The Rise of Letitia James: More Than Just a Title
Tish James didn't just fall into the role. She’s a Brooklynite through and through, graduating from Lehman College and later Howard University School of Law. Before she was chasing down corporate giants, she was a public defender at the Legal Aid Society. That "street-level" experience is something she often cites when talking about tenant rights or consumer protection.
She broke a lot of glass ceilings to get here.
- First woman of color to hold statewide office in New York.
- First woman ever elected as New York Attorney General.
- First Black person to serve in the role.
Before the AG's office, she was the New York City Public Advocate. If you remember that era, she was basically the city's official "complaint department," but with teeth. She sued landlords, pushed for transparency in NYPD body cameras, and generally made life difficult for anyone she felt was bullying the little guy.
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What Does the New York State Attorney General Actually Do?
People often confuse the Attorney General with the District Attorney. They aren't the same. While a DA (like Alvin Bragg in Manhattan) handles local criminal cases like robberies or street crimes, the NY State Attorney General is the "People’s Lawyer."
The office is basically a massive law firm for the state. They defend the state when it gets sued, but they also have huge "affirmative" powers. This means they can go out and look for trouble—specifically corporate fraud, environmental crimes, and civil rights violations.
In 2025 and moving into early 2026, the office has been aggressively busy. We're talking about:
- Opioid Settlements: Securing billions (yes, with a 'B') from companies like Purdue Pharma to fund treatment.
- Gun Control: Dismantling trafficking rings and taking on "ghost gun" manufacturers.
- Tenant Protections: Suing predatory landlords who let lead paint poison kids or illegally hike rents.
Honestly, it’s a lot of power for one person. The AG can effectively shut down businesses if they find they're operating as a fraud. That’s the "Martin Act" power you might have heard about—it’s a New York-specific law that gives the AG massive leverage in financial cases.
The Trump Cases and the Political Firestorm
You can't talk about who is the NY State Attorney General without mentioning Donald Trump. This is where things get spicy. James famously campaigned on the promise to investigate his business dealings, which led to a massive civil fraud trial.
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By early 2024, a judge ruled against the Trump Organization, ordering them to pay hundreds of millions. Fast forward to 2025 and 2026, and the legal battle is still dragging through the appeals process. While some see her as a hero of accountability, others—including many in the federal government—see her work as politically motivated.
In fact, the current political climate is wild. There have been recent federal attempts to push back against her office's reach. You might have seen news about federal prosecutors or even the DOJ under the current administration trying to challenge her authority. It’s a constant tug-of-war between state sovereignty and federal oversight.
Controversies and the 2026 Election
It hasn't all been victory laps. James has faced her own share of legal drama. Late in 2025, news broke regarding federal probes and indictments involving mortgage applications, which she has vehemently denied, calling them "politically motivated retaliation."
Despite the noise, she has already announced she is running for a third term in the 2026 election.
The race is shaping up to be a bruiser.
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- On the Republican side: Names like Saritha Komatireddy (a former federal prosecutor) and Michael Henry have surfaced.
- The "Crypto" Factor: Khurram Dara, a regulatory attorney, has entered the fray, likely focusing on how James has handled (or stifled, depending on who you ask) the tech and crypto sectors.
New York is a deep blue state, but the Attorney General race is often where the "law and order" crowd makes their stand. If you’re wondering who is the NY State Attorney General today, it’s James—but by this time next year, the campaign trail will be the only thing anyone is talking about.
Why This Role Matters to You
Most people don't think about the AG until they get a scam phone call or their landlord refuses to fix the heat. That’s when you realize the office is basically the "muscle" for the consumer.
If you’ve ever used the "Lemon Law" to get a refund on a bunk car, thank the AG. If you’re worried about AI algorithms manipulating prices on apps like Instacart (something James’ office is literally looking into right now), the AG is the one who sends the subpoenas.
Basically, the Attorney General is the wall between you and big companies that want to cut corners. Whether you like James’ politics or not, the office she sits in is arguably the most powerful state-level legal position in the country.
Practical Steps for New Yorkers:
- Report Fraud: If you’ve been scammed, don't just vent on social media. Use the NYAG online complaint forms. They actually read them.
- Check the "Lemon Law": If you bought a car that’s a total disaster, the AG’s office has a specific program to help you get your money back.
- Tenant Rights: If your landlord is harassing you, the AG’s Civil Rights or Housing units are your best bet for a heavyweight advocate.
- Follow the 2026 Primary: The primary is set for June 23, 2026. If you want a change—or want to keep things the same—that’s where the real decision happens in New York.
The office is more than just the person at the top. It’s a massive machine of hundreds of lawyers. But for now, Letitia James is the one steering the ship, for better or worse.