Barbara Underwood was officially voted by the state Legislature to serve as acting New York attorney general on Tuesday, less than a month after the sudden resignation of Eric Schneiderman amid allegations of physical abuse.
Underwood, who is the first woman to hold the office in New York, will serve as attorney general through the end of the year.
“It is a tremendous honor,” Underwood said in a statement Tuesday. “I’ve served in many roles in government throughout my career. But I believe this job — at this moment in history — is the most important job I have ever had.”
New Yorkers will vote in November on who will become Schneiderman’s permanent replacement.
Here are some fast facts about Underwood’s career, provided by the attorney general’s office.
– Underwood was appointed to her previous role as the state’s solicitor general by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in January 2007.
– She graduated first in her class from Georgetown University Law Center, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree. Before law school, Underwood graduated from Harvard University, Radcliffe College with a bachelor of arts degree.
– Underwood was the United States acting solicitor general and principal deputy solicitor general between 1998 and 2001.
– Before serving as U.S. solicitor general, she worked as counsel and chief assistant for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
– Underwood also was a trial attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and held executive positions in the Queens and Brooklyn district attorneys’ offices.
– She has made the teaching rounds at several prominent New York City universities, including stints as a visiting professor at New York University School of Law and adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School.
– Underwood has argued 20 cases before the United States Supreme Court during her career.
With Newsday
