Charity R. Clark
Vermont Attorney General
Charity R. Clark was sworn in as Attorney General of Vermont on January 5, 2023, the first woman to be elected to this position in Vermont.
Attorney General Clark began her career in the Attorney General’s Office in 2014 when she was hired by Attorney General Bill Sorrell to serve as an Assistant Attorney General in the Public Protection Division. She was later appointed Chief of Staff by Attorney General T.J. Donovan in 2018 and served in the role until 2022.
Office Overview
The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer in the state. They are charged with representing the state in all matters in which the state is a party or has an interest. The Attorney General's Office is dedicated to the protection of the health and safety of all Vermonters.
What We Do:
- Enforce laws of the State of Vermont
- Defend State of Vermont laws, policies, employees
- Protect Vermont citizens
Our mission is to implement and enforce Vermont’s laws to improve the quality of life for all Vermonters. Whether this means enforcing our criminal laws to keep our cities, towns and homes safe, or vigorously pursuing those who would foul our air, land and water, it is the job of this office to bring the legal resources of the State to bear in a professional, cost-effective and thoughtful manner to protect our citizens. First established by the Vermont Legislature in 1790, the Office of Attorney General has evolved from its one-person operation shortly after the turn of the 20th century to its current status as the State’s largest law firm. We act as legal counsel to all state agencies and to the Legislature. Our staff handles civil and criminal cases in all courts of the state on both the trial and appellate levels. We both defend the state when it is sued and file our own suits to enforce Vermont’s criminal, environmental, consumer protection, civil rights and countless other laws.
Major Duties
- Uphold and defend the Constitution and laws of the State of Vermont;
- Promote and support strong law enforcement;
- Achieve a higher level of public safety and security by promoting vigorous prosecution of criminals;
- Protect the public health and safety of Vermonters by supporting alternative criminal justice programs that address the causes of criminality, reduce recidivism and help those with mental health and drug abuse issues get access to treatment;
- Provide skilled assistance to local prosecutors;
- Prosecute consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices, and protect Vermonters from fraudulent business activities and scams by educating consumers;
- Advise state officials and agencies on proper legal compliance;
- Defend Vermonters' civil rights;
- Support local businesses through proactive outreach on how to comply with the law;
- Provide professional legal representation in all civil proceedings on behalf of the State.