Steve Bullock (Montana)
Encyclopedia
Steve Bullock Is the current Attorney General
of the U.S. state of Montana
. He was elected to office in November 2008 and sworn in on January 5, 2009. He is the 20th Attorney General of Montana.
and raised in Helena, Montana
, where he graduated from Helena High School
in 1984. He received his undergraduate degree from Claremont McKenna College
and his law degree with honors from Columbia University Law School
in New York.
From 2001 to 2004, Bullock practiced law with the Washington, D.C. firm of Steptoe & Johnson. While there, he also served as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University Law School.
Prior to his election as Attorney General, Bullock was in private practice in Helena
where he represented individuals, consumer organizations, labor unions, peace officers, associations of political subdivisions, and small and large businesses.
During his tenure, Bullock has pushed for tougher drunken driving laws and a crackdown on prescription drug abuse. In 2010, he urged the Montana legislature to adopt a statewide DUI
program.
Bullock has worked with the legislature to expand the right of the public to access streams.
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
of the U.S. state of Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. He was elected to office in November 2008 and sworn in on January 5, 2009. He is the 20th Attorney General of Montana.
Early life and education
Bullock was born in Missoula, MontanaMissoula, Montana
Missoula is a city located in western Montana and is the county seat of Missoula County. The 2010 Census put the population of Missoula at 66,788 and the population of Missoula County at 109,299. Missoula is the principal city of the Missoula Metropolitan Area...
and raised in Helena, Montana
Helena, Montana
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
, where he graduated from Helena High School
Helena High School
Helena High School is a public high school for grades 9 through 12 located in Helena, Montana. It is part of the Helena Public School District. Founded in September 1876, it is the oldest high school in the state of Montana.-Curriculum:...
in 1984. He received his undergraduate degree from Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college and a member of the Claremont Colleges located in Claremont, California. The campus is located east of Downtown Los Angeles...
and his law degree with honors from Columbia University Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
in New York.
Early career
Bullock began his career in public service in 1996 as chief legal counsel to the Montana Secretary of State. He went on to serve four years with the Montana Department of Justice, first as executive assistant attorney general, and later as acting chief deputy (1997–2001). During this time, he also served as legislative director, coordinating the Attorney General's legislative efforts.From 2001 to 2004, Bullock practiced law with the Washington, D.C. firm of Steptoe & Johnson. While there, he also served as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University Law School.
Prior to his election as Attorney General, Bullock was in private practice in Helena
Helena, Montana
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
where he represented individuals, consumer organizations, labor unions, peace officers, associations of political subdivisions, and small and large businesses.
Attorney General
As Attorney General, Bullock is the state's chief lawyer and law enforcement officer. He leads the Montana Department of Justice, which encompasses the Forensic Science Laboratory, the Montana Highway Patrol, the Motor Vehicle Division, Gambling Control, Legal Services and the Division of Criminal Investigation, as well as the department's information technology staff.During his tenure, Bullock has pushed for tougher drunken driving laws and a crackdown on prescription drug abuse. In 2010, he urged the Montana legislature to adopt a statewide DUI
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
program.
Bullock has worked with the legislature to expand the right of the public to access streams.