Explore how the Attorney-General built the government’s legal framework and shaped the Department of Justice.
This book traces the department from its origins in 1789, through early struggles to organize the new government’s legal work. It explains how the Attorney-General advised presidents and heads of departments, and how the office evolved with growing workloads and new offices.
- Learn how the office was created and what duties defined the early Attorney-General.
- See how the department grew, including the need for clerks and supervision of district attorneys.
- Understand key figures and moments that shaped the department’s development and its influence on federal law.
- Discover how the modern structure—Solicitor-General, Assistant Attorneys-General, and other bureaus—came to exist.
Ideal for readers of American history and legal history who want a clear, accessible account of how the Department of Justice came to be and what it does today.