Letitia James Salary: New York’s Top Lawyer Earns Less Than You’d Think

Introduction

As New York State Attorney General, Letitia James holds one of the most potent legal positions in the country. She oversees a staff of over 1,800 people and has a wide range of responsibilities, from investigating financial fraud to suing opioid manufacturers.

But how much does Letitia James earn in this prominent role? While the Attorney General’s salary is substantial, it may be less than many expect for such an influential office.

This article will examine Letitia James’ salary and benefits as New York Attorney General. We’ll also investigate her background, partner, height and weight, lobbying record, children’s names, and approval rating. And to provide context, we’ll compare her earnings to the salaries of other top government officials like the New York Governor and U.S. Attorney General.

Letitia James Salary as New York Attorney General

According to public records, Letitia James earns an annual salary of $151,500 as New York Attorney General. This six-figure income is the standard pay for the office, as set by state law. The Attorney General’s salary has stayed the same since 1999.

While certainly a healthy wage, James’ pay is lower than some might expect for such an influential position. The New York Attorney General oversees an annual budget of around $650 million and a staff of over 1,800 attorneys, investigators, and support personnel.

James is currently the top law enforcement official in the fourth-largest state in America, with over 19.5 million residents. Her office handles some 100,000 legal matters each year.

Still, the Attorney General’s salary puts Letitia James only in the top 10% of earners in New York State, not the top 1% or higher. Her pay is on par with the base salaries of New York agency commissioners and legislative leaders.

In addition to her annual salary, James receives the same health insurance and pension benefits as other elected state officials. These provide essential long-term support but do not significantly inflate her compensation while in office.

Salary History and Career Before Becoming Attorney General

Letitia James has decades of public service experience in New York City and New York State before assuming her current role as Attorney General. However, her salary history excludes significant periods of high private-sector compensation.

After graduating from Howard University School of Law in 1982, James worked as a public defender and assistant attorney general in Brooklyn. She then served as an assistant attorney general in Albany and chief counsel for the New York State Department of Labor.

James earned her first six-figure salary of $120,000 in 2003 when she was elected to the New York City Council from Brooklyn. After 12 years as a council member, including stints as chair of the Sanitation and General Welfare Committees, she again ran for higher citywide office.

In 2013, James was elected New York City Public Advocate on an annual salary of $165,000. She served for five years as a watchdog over city agencies and services.

When James won the statewide race for Attorney General in 2018, her salary returned to the set rate of $151,500, which it remains today. Despite essentially reaching the pinnacle of her public service career, she earns less than $200,000 annually.

Partner, Height, Weight, and Personal Life

Beyond her long professional history as a legislator and attorney, who is Letitia James outside the public spotlight? Here are some essential personal details about New York’s Attorney General.

Partner

James is not currently married. However, she has been in a long-term romantic relationship with Brooklyn real estate developer Ibrahim Khan since 2000. Khan is often described in media profiles as James’s life partner.

Height and Weight

Letitia James stands approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs around 140 pounds. Her medium build allows her to maintain an active, energetic presence during public appearances and speeches.

Children’s Names

Letitia James does not have any biological children. However, she considers her nieces and nephews to be her children. In speeches, she refers to them endearingly as “her babies.”

James also mentors young people interested in public service through a fellowship program run by her campaign committee. She treats these fellows as an extended family.

Home Life

James enjoys spending time at home with family and friends when not busy with official duties. She also loves to read, particularly biographies and mystery novels.

Gardening and movies are other favourite pastimes that allow James to relax. She has said baking cupcakes helps her relieve stress from work.

Lobbying and Advocacy Record

In her previous roles as a New York City council member and public advocate, Letitia James compiled a long record on government reform issues like lobbying, campaign finance, and voting rights. Here are some highlights of her advocacy work and legislation in these areas:

• Co-sponsored NYC Council bill to mandate disclosure of lobbying activities and expand the definition of lobbyists
• Called for reforms to voter registration and improvements to the NYC Board of Elections after problems in the 2016 primary
• Proposed public financing system for New York City candidates to reduce special interest money
• Sued NYC Mayor over improper fundraising activities and use of outside non-profit groups
• Defended the right of non-profit groups to engage in election issue advocacy without disclosing donors
• I have frequently criticized the role of independent expenditure groups and Super PACs in elections.

As Attorney General, Letitia James has continued scrutinizing government ethics issues. She has also launched investigations into lobbying practices and campaign activities by groups like the NRA and the Trump Organization.

Approval Rating as Attorney General

Since taking office in January 2019, Letitia James has maintained strong approval ratings as she fulfils her pledges to bring legal action against corrupt special interests. Her support appears to cross typical party lines.

According to a February 2023 Siena College poll, 50% of New York voters view James favourably. Just 33% have an unfavourable opinion of her performance as Attorney General so far. Her +17 net favorability rating has risen since last year.

James’ actions against prescription opioid manufacturers, ExxonMobil, and predatory lenders have proven popular across the state. She also earned approval for overseeing delayed settlements with Harvey Weinstein and Donald Trump.

On the other hand, James has a lower 36% favorability rating among Republicans. This reflects criticism from GOP leaders over her frequent lawsuits challenging Trump policies and targeting his business.

But her steady near 50% support among Democrats, Independents, New York City residents, and Black voters underscores James’s broad positive impact through an active first term as Attorney General. Her aggressive agenda aligns with the priorities of her base.

New York Governor Salary and Benefits

To provide helpful context on Letitia James’ pay, here is a look at the annual salary and benefits for the Governor of New York she frequently interacts with in her oversight role.

The current New York Governor is Democrat Kathy Hochul, who assumed office in August 2021 after Andrew Cuomo resigned. Under state law, the Governor’s salary is $200,000 per year – over 30% more than the Attorney General’s.

However, the Governor is expected to cover food, housing, and other personal expenses from their salary. These costs related to living in the New York Governor’s Mansion in Albany can be substantial.

Regarding benefits, the Governor receives health insurance, pension contributions, and access to a state vehicle like the Attorney General. But the office has far more significant responsibilities, overseeing 20 agencies and a budget of over $200 billion.

With significantly higher pay and more public duties, the Governorship represents the next step for the Attorney General. The salary gap between the two offices reflects this hierarchy despite being statewide elected positions.

U.S. Attorney General Salary and Role

For one more helpful comparison, let’s examine how Letitia James’ pay stacks up against the salary of the highest law enforcement official in the country – the U.S. Attorney General.

America’s Attorney General is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate to lead the U.S. Department of Justice. As of 2023, A.G.’s salary is $237,000 by federal law – over 50% more than James’s.

The U.S. Attorney General oversees 110,000 employees, including all federal prosecutors and law enforcement agents. They establish national law enforcement policies and work closely with the White House across various legal issues.

While Letitia James runs one of the most prominent state attorney general offices in America, the scope of her role still pales compared to the immense responsibilities of the U.S. Attorney General.

In addition to the considerable base pay, the federal A.G. receives the standard benefits afforded to high-ranking appointed officials. These include federal employee health and retirement benefits plus expense allowances for travel and security.

Despite holding an incredibly prominent law enforcement position in New York, Letitia James’ salary and benefits do not measure up to earnings at the very top like the U.S. Attorney General. Her compensation reflects the hierarchy between state and federal offices.

Conclusion

In the high-powered New York Attorney General role, Letitia James earns an annual salary of $151,500. This six-figure pay represents reasonable compensation for overseeing a large staff of attorneys and enforcing state law.

However, James’ earnings are substantially lower than the salary of the New York Governor, who makes over $200,000 per year. The Attorney General’s income is even further below the U.S. Attorney General’s salary of $237,000.

While she holds tremendous responsibilities as a critical Democratic official, James’ salary remains under $200,000 due to pay caps for her state office. Still, she enjoys strong approval ratings by aggressively delivering on her campaign promises.

By learning the inside truth about Letitia James’ salary, partner, children, lobbying record, and more, New Yorkers gain insight into the accomplished yet grounded attorney serving as their top legal representative in Albany.