Barbara Underwood facts for kids

Barbara Dale Underwood is a highly respected American lawyer. She was born on August 16, 1944. Currently, she serves as the Solicitor General of New York. This important role means she represents the state in many legal cases.

She first became Solicitor General in January 2007. This appointment was made by Andrew Cuomo, who was then the state's Attorney General. Later, in 2011, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman reappointed her to the position.

In May 2018, Barbara Underwood briefly served as the Attorney General of New York. This happened after Eric Schneiderman resigned. She chose not to run for the office in the 2018 state elections. After Letitia James became the new Attorney General in January 2019, Underwood returned to her role as Solicitor General. She made history as the first woman to ever serve as Attorney General of New York.

Early Life and Education

Barbara Underwood was born in Evansville, Indiana. Her parents were Dr. Robert Underwood and Mildred Kinstein Underwood. She grew up in Belleville, New Jersey, and is the oldest of three sisters.

She attended Radcliffe College, which is part of Harvard University. In 1966, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors. She then went on to study law at Georgetown University Law Center. She received her Juris Doctor degree in 1969.

While she was a student at Radcliffe in 1963, she worked as a news editor at a radio station called WJRZ.

A Career in Law

After finishing law school, Barbara Underwood worked for important judges. She was a law clerk for Chief Judge David L. Bazelon from 1969 to 1970. She also clerked for Justice Thurgood Marshall at the Supreme Court from 1971 to 1972. A law clerk helps a judge with legal research and writing.

After her clerkships, Underwood became a law professor. She taught at Yale Law School for 10 years, from 1972 to 1982. She also taught at Brooklyn Law School and New York University School of Law.

Underwood then moved from teaching to working directly in the legal system. She worked in the District Attorney's Offices in three different counties in New York City. These included New York County, Kings County (Brooklyn), and Queens County. She also served as a Chief Assistant United States Attorney.

In 1998, United States Attorney General Janet Reno appointed her as Principal Deputy Solicitor General. This role is a top assistant to the Solicitor General of the United States. She held this position for three years. From January to June 2001, she served as the Acting Solicitor General of the United States. This made her the first woman to hold that acting role.

After working in the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York, she became the Solicitor General of New York State in 2007. She has argued 22 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. She has also argued many cases in other federal and state courts.

Serving as Attorney General

On May 8, 2018, Barbara Underwood became the Acting Attorney General of New York. This happened after Eric Schneiderman resigned. On May 22, 2018, the State Legislature chose her to finish the rest of Schneiderman's term. Underwood promised not to seek election for the office. She served until an elected successor took over.

As Attorney General, Underwood took legal action against the Donald J. Trump Foundation. This action led to the foundation's closure.

Letitia James became the Attorney General after winning the 2018 New York state elections. In January 2019, Underwood returned to her role as Solicitor General. She had never sought or held an elected office before. She told an interviewer that she was happy to go back to a role she knew she liked. She made history as the first woman to serve as Attorney General of New York.

In November 2020, as Solicitor General of New York, Underwood argued the case Trump v. New York. She represented New York State in this important case. In November 2021, she also argued the case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen.

Honors and Awards

In 2012, the American Inns of Court gave Barbara Underwood their Professionalism Award. This award recognized her for mentoring other attorneys throughout her career. In May 2016, Radcliffe College gave her an honorary membership in Phi Beta Kappa. This is a very respected academic honor society.

Family Life

Barbara Underwood has lived in New York City since 1982. She was married to Martin Halpern, who was a professor of playwriting. He passed away in September 2023. Underwood lives in Brooklyn. She has one son, Robert, who was born in 1986. She was married once before, and that marriage ended in divorce. Barbara Underwood is Jewish.

See also

In Spanish: Barbara Underwood para niños

• List of Jewish American jurists
• List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States (Seat 10)