Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 22 Attorneys General in filing a comment letter on Apr. 7 opposing a proposed Department of Justice rule that would limit state bar disciplinary proceedings involving DOJ attorneys.
The coalition argues that the proposal could allow the Justice Department to ask state bar organizations to pause investigations or disciplinary actions against its attorneys, and states refusing such requests might face unspecified federal retaliation. The issue is significant because it concerns whether federal attorneys should be held to the same ethical standards as other lawyers licensed by individual states.
“Attorneys must be held to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct, not because of where they work, but because of what they represent,” said Attorney General Davenport. “The Department of Justice is an institution built on the tradition that those who wield the power of the law must do so with unwavering integrity, independence, and fidelity to the truth. This proposed rule seeks to shamefully lower that standard. In New Jersey, we work every day to build public trust in the legal system.”
Historically, states have managed lawyer licensing and regulation since the founding of the nation. Federal law requires DOJ attorneys to follow state laws and rules just like any other attorney practicing in that state. The comment letter led by Davenport seeks to maintain this approach and resists efforts by DOJ leadership to change how misconduct among its lawyers is handled.
Davenport was joined in leading this initiative by her counterparts from Minnesota, the District of Columbia, and Colorado; additional support came from Attorneys General representing Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington.
According to the official website, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin aims to protect residents’ lives and property while upholding legal standards across all counties through enforcement efforts statewide. The office also influences public safety through law enforcement oversight and provides services including crime lab support and victim advocacy initiatives according to its official website. As stated on its official website, it operates as a state agency focused on justice with statutory authority for prosecution and regulation throughout New Jersey.
