Office of the Attorney General, Virginia Secretary of, Correspondence and Subject files

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Preferred citation:

Correspondence and Subject Files of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General [cite specific date and Accession number used], State records collection, The Library of Virginia, Archives Branch, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Summary

Creator:
Virginia. Office of the Attorney General. Executive Office.
Preferred citation:

Correspondence and Subject Files of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General [cite specific date and Accession number used], State records collection, The Library of Virginia, Archives Branch, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

These records were created or collected during the administration of Governor Lawrence Douglas Wilder, 1990-1994, and Governor George Allen, 1994-1998. During the Allen administration, James Gilmore served as the Attorney General (1994-1997). This series includes speeches by Gilmore and others in the office incluidng Gary Aronholt. In addition to speeches, folders include travel logistics, iteneraries, lists of attendees, newspaper clippings, invitations, and regrets.

Biographical / historical:

The first Attorney General was commissioned in Virginia in 1642. In 1776, the state constitution adopted the office under the auspices of the General Assembly, and in in 1927 the state government reorganization act created the Department of Law with the Attorney General serving as the chief executive officer.

The Office represents the interests of the Commonwealth in civil cases in which the Commonwealth or any of its agencies or officials is named as a party, and in criminal cases on appeal to the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia. In cases involving federal law, the Attorney General also represents the Commonwealth's interests. The Office also defends the constitutionality of state laws when they are challenged in court, represents consumers in utility matters before the State Corporation Commission, and collects debts owed to state agencies, hospitals and universities. Additionally, the Attorney General serves as the legal advisor to the Governor and more than 200 state agencies, boards, commissions and institutions. He renders official opinions upon the written request of the Governor, members of the General Assembly, members of the judiciary, state officials, and local constitutional officers.

James Gilmore III was elected to serve as the 38th Attorney General of Virginia from 1994 to 1997 under Governor George Allen. Gilmore resigned in June 1997 to run for the office of Governor.

Acquisition information:
Accession 40174 was transferred by the Office of the Attorney General.
Processing information:

This collection has been processed using minimal processing standards: the original arrangement has been maintained, the container list is brief and simple, the records have not been refoldered unless necessary, and fasteners have not been removed.

Arrangement:

Various arrangements. Records have been kept in their original order.

Physical description:
4.5 cubic feet (5 boxes)