As an independent constitutional office and legal counsel to state government, we serve the citizens of Washington with the highest standards of excellence, ethics and effectiveness.

The mission of the Consumer Protection Division is to secure, for the people of Washinton Sate, a marketplace free from deceit and unfairness through strong enforcement, effective education and creative problem solving.

Description:
The Attorney General is the top legal officer for state government, elected by the public for a four-year term.

Attorney General Rob McKenna is Washington’s 17th state Attorney General. He was sworn into office in January 2005 and is serving his first term.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) touches the lives of people all across Washington. As chief legal officer, the Attorney General leads a team of attorneys who represent state clients and the public interest as directed under state law.

The AGO serves more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges, and universities, as well as the Governor and Legislature.

The Attorney General manages the largest public law office in the state with more than 1,200 employees and offices in 12 cities around the state.

History:
In 1889, Congress authorized organization of the state of Washington and its admission into the union as the 42nd state. Prior to statehood, the Washington Territory had an Attorney General appointed by the territorial governor with the consent of the President.

After Washington's admission to the Union in 1889, the Office of Attorney General became an elected position with a term of office of four years.

According to state law, the Office of the Attorney General is responsible for representing the state of Washington, its officials, departments, boards, commissions, and agencies. Its specific duties include:

• Representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state’s interest.
  
  
• Advising the Governor, members of the Legislature and other state officers on legal issues, and, when requested, giving written opinions on constitutional or legal questions.
  
  
• Protecting the public by upholding the Consumer Protection Act, enforcing laws against anti-competitive business practices, representing the public interest in utility matters, and protecting the environment as Counsel for the Environment in the siting of energy facilities.
  
  
• Investigating and prosecuting persons accused of crimes if requested to do so by the Governor or a county prosecutor.



Contact people:


Paul Corning, Program Manager, (phone), (email) Kathleen Baker, Program Manager, (phone), (email) Niki Smith, Supervisor, (phone), (email)


Office fax number: (206) 464-6451

Address:


800 5th Ave Ste 2000 Seattle, WA 98104 This location is handicap accessible (See a map)


Web Site: http://www.atg.wa.gov/default.aspx

Directions:

The Consumer Protection Division's largest office is located in the Bank of America Fifh Avenue Plaza at 5th and Marion in downtown Seattle. When traveling north on I-5 take the Senceca St (#165)exit and traveling south on I-5 take the Columbia/James St (165A) exit. The Plaza's parking garage entrance is on Colunbia St. Please contact other locations for directions.   Nearest Bus Stop: Metro, 1 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	No
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	No

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