Nicholas W. Brown (lawyer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nick Brown
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| 19th Attorney General of Washington | |
| Assumed office January 15, 2025 |
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| Governor | Bob Ferguson |
| Preceded by | Bob Ferguson |
| United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington | |
| In office October 8, 2021 – June 21, 2023 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Tessa M. Gorman (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Tessa M. Gorman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Nicholas William Brown
April 2, 1977 Steilacoom, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Morehouse College (BA) Harvard University (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
Nicholas William Brown (born April 2, 1977) is an American lawyer. He will become the 19th Attorney General of Washington in 2025. Before this, he worked as the United States attorney for the Western District of Washington from October 2021 to June 2023. Brown was chosen for his current role in the 2024 election. He is the first African American to hold the position of Attorney General in Washington state.
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Early Life and Education
Nick Brown was born in Steilacoom, Washington. He went to Morehouse College and earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts, in 1999. Later, he studied law at Harvard University, where he received his law degree (Juris Doctor) in 2002.
Nick Brown's Career Journey
Appearing on Survivor
In 2000, before becoming a lawyer, Brown was a contestant on a popular TV show called Survivor. He appeared in the second season, which was filmed in the Australian Outback. He was the tenth person voted off the show. After leaving the game, he became one of the jury members who helped decide the winner.
Serving as a Military Lawyer
Brown started his legal career in the United States Army. He worked as a Judge Advocate General, often called a JAG. In this role, he acted as both a prosecutor (someone who tries to prove a crime was committed) and a defense counsel (someone who defends people accused of crimes).
He worked at different military bases, including Joint Base Lewis–McChord in Washington. He also served as a defense lawyer for the U.S. Army in places like Fort Bliss, Texas, and even in Bagdad, Iraq. From 2007 to 2013, he was an assistant United States attorney for the Western District of Washington.
Working for Governor Inslee
From 2013 to 2017, Brown served as the main lawyer, or general counsel, for Governor Jay Inslee of Washington state. In this job, he gave legal advice to the governor and his office.
Becoming a U.S. Attorney
In January 2021, two senators from Washington, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, suggested Brown for the job of U.S. Attorney for Western Washington. This is a very important role in the federal government.
On July 26, 2021, President Joe Biden officially nominated Brown for the position. The United States Senate then voted to confirm him on September 30, 2021. He was sworn into office on October 8, 2021, by Chief Judge Ricardo S. Martinez. As U.S. Attorney, he was the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Western District of Washington.
Running for Attorney General
In May 2023, there were reports that Brown was interested in running for Attorney General of Washington. The Attorney General is the chief legal officer for the state government. On June 20, 2023, Brown announced he would leave his job as U.S. Attorney. He then joined a private law firm while preparing for his election campaign.
Brown officially entered the race on July 12, 2023. In 2024, he won the election. This makes him the first African American to hold the office of Attorney General in Washington state.
Personal Life
Nick Brown lives in Seattle with his wife and their two children.
