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Mar 12, 1150
The Origin of Lawyers
Some of the first lawyers were described as orators of ancient Athens in 1150. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_legal_profession#:~:text=The%20earliest%20people%20who%20could,orators%20faced%20serious%20structural%20obstacles. -
Lawyer's Spread Worldwide
Lawyers became powerful local and colony-wide leaders by 1700 in the American colonies grew increasingly powerful in the colonial era as experts in the English common law, which was adopted by all the colonies. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_legal_profession -
Judiciary Act of 1789 creates role of United States attorneys
In response to the mandates of the Constitution, Congress enacts the Judiciary Act of 1789, directing the President to appoint in each federal district “a meet person learned in the law to act as an attorney for the United States.” President Washington nominated the first U.S. Attorneys on September 24, 1789. https://guides.loc.gov/judiciary-act -
Legalizing representation
It was not until the U.S. bill of rights was ratified in 1791 that people in the US were guaranteed legal representation by the sixth amendment. https://westcolumbialawyer.com/the-history-of-lawyers/ -
Solicitor of the Treasury oversees US Attorneys
Congress creates the position of Solicitor of the Treasury and empowers it to have control over all United States Attorneys as well as United States Marshals and Clerks of Court. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Attorney_General -
Former U.S Attorney Franklin Pierce becomes President
President Franklin Pierce served as United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Franklin_Pierce -
President designates Treasury Department officer to oversee U.S. Attorneys
Congress grants the President the power to designate an officer within the Treasury Department to oversee the activities of the United States Attorneys. https://home.treasury.gov/about/offices/general-counsel -
Former Rhode Island U.S. Attorney J. Howard McGrath confirmed Attorney General
J. Howard McGrath, the former United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island (1934-1940), served as United States Attorney General from 1949 to 1952. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Howard_McGrath -
Executive Office for United States Attorneys established
On April 6, 1953, an order of the Attorney General establishes the Executive Office for United States Attorneys to “provide general executive assistance and supervision to the offices of the United States Attorneys. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Attorney -
Former U.S. Attorney Jeff Sessions becomes Attorney General
Former United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama Jeff B. Sessions was sworn in as United States Attorney General on February 9, 2017. Attorney General Sessions served as U.S. Attorney for 12 years, starting in 1981. https://www.justice.gov/ag/bio/attorney-general-jeff-sessions