New York State Attorney General

New York Attorney General
Seal of the Attorney General
Incumbent Eric Schneiderman since January 1, 2011
Department of Law
Constituting instrument	New York Constitution, Executive Law
Formation	1626
First holder	Egbert Benson
Website	www.ag.ny.gov

The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York and head of the New York state government's Department of Law. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.

The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman. He was elected on November 2, 2010 and took office on January 1, 2011. He won reelection in 2014.

The Attorney General advises the executive branch of state government and defends actions and proceedings on behalf of the state. The Attorney General acts independently of the Governor of New York. The department's regulations are compiled in title 13 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR).

The legal functions of the Department of Law are divided primarily into five major divisions: Appeals and Opinions, State Counsel, Criminal Justice, Economic Justice and Social Justice.