Solicitor General Division

Appeals and Opinions Bureau

The Appeals and Opinions Bureau operates under the direction of the Solicitor General, who, by statute, is appointed by the Attorney General. The bureau is responsible for preparing and arguing civil and criminal appeals in both state and federal courts. 

The bureau also provides formal opinions to Executive Branch departments and agencies, public authorities, the Office of Court Administration, and the state's public university system; renders informal advisory opinions to municipal attorneys to assist local governments; and issues opinions on proposed state constitutional amendments to the Legislature.

Criminal Appeals and Federal Habeas Corpus Bureau

The Criminal Appeals and Federal Habeas Corpus Bureau is headed by the Deputy Solicitor General for Criminal Matters. The bureau handles all appeals for the Criminal Justice Division, including for the Organized Crime Task Force and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
 

Law Library

The Law Library supports the information needs of the Office of the New York State Attorney General by providing reference and research assistance to office staff. The Law library provides responses to research requests on a wide variety of legal and non-legal topics. The library staff evaluate the purchase and distribution of print and electronic materials and offer staff training and support for major legal-research databases.