Brian Schwalb
Brian Schwalb | |
|---|---|
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| Attorney General for the District of Columbia | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2023 | |
| Mayor | Muriel Bowser |
| Preceded by | Karl Racine |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1967 (age 57–58) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mickie |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Duke University (BA) Harvard University (JD) |
Brian Lawrence Schwalb (born 1967) is an American attorney and politician serving as the attorney general of the District of Columbia. Prior to becoming attorney general, Schwalb was the partner-in-charge of Venable LLP's D.C. office.[1][2] He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life and education
[edit]Schwalb was born to a Jewish family at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., in 1967.[1] He earned a bachelor's degree from Duke University and a juris doctor from Harvard Law School.
Legal career
[edit]Schwalb served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge John R. Hargrove in Baltimore. After completing service as a law clerk, Schwalb joined the Department of Justice Honor Program and became a trial attorney in the United States Department of Justice Tax Division.
After leaving the Department of Justice, Schwalb formed Schwalb, Donnenfeld & Schwalb, a boutique law firm.[3] In 2005 he joined Venable LLP, where he worked as the firm's vice chairman for four years and was subsequently partner-in-charge of the D.C. office.[3]
Attorney General of the District of Columbia
[edit]Schwalb ran in the 2022 District of Columbia Attorney General election to succeed incumbent Karl Racine. Schwalb was endorsed by the two previous District of Columbia attorneys general.[4] In the primary, Schwalb ran against Bruce Spiva and Ryan Jones and won with 45% of the vote.[5] He was unopposed in the general election.[6]
In 2023, Schwalb began investigating the political funding networks of Leonard Leo and Arabella Advisors.[7]
In March of 2025, Schwalb dropped the lawsuit initiated by his predecessor, Karl Racine, against the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys for their participation in the events that unfolded on January 6, 2021, explaining that AG resources would be better spent on other issues.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Schwalb lives in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of Washington, D.C. He and his wife, Mickie, have three daughters. Schwalb is Jewish and is a member and trustee of Adas Israel Congregation.[1][2]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian Schwalb | 54,399 | 45.35 | |
| Democratic | Bruce V. Spiva | 44,198 | 36.85 | |
| Democratic | Ryan L. Jones | 20,518 | 17.11 | |
| Democratic | Write-in | 827 | 0.69 | |
| Total votes | 119,942 | 100 | ||
| n/a | Overvotes | 123 | ||
| n/a | Undervotes | 8,266 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian Schwalb | 177,126 | 97.51% | |
| Independent | Write-in | 4,516 | 2.49% | |
| Total votes | 181,642 | 100% | ||
| n/a | Overvotes | 123 | ||
| n/a | Undervotes | 23,647 | ||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Brice-Saddler, Michael (December 13, 2021). "Lawyer Brian Schwalb to run for D.C. Attorney General". Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ a b "About Brian". Brian Schwalb for Attorney General. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ a b Dong, Xiumei (December 13, 2021). "Venable's D.C. leader joins race for attorney general". Reuters. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ Vitka, Will (June 16, 2022). "Meet the candidates for DC attorney general: Brian Schwalb". WTOP. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ Olson, Elizabeth (June 22, 2022). "Venable Partner Brian Schwalb Wins DC Attorney General's Race". Bloomberg Law. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ "General Election 2022 - Certified Results". District of Columbia Board of Elections. November 30, 2022. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ Przybyla, Heidi (October 3, 2023). "Leonard Leo says he will not cooperate with D.C. Attorney General tax probe". Politico. Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ "DC attorney general drops Jan. 6 lawsuit against Oath Keepers, Proud Boys". WTOP News. March 18, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "Primary Election 2022 - Certified Results". District of Columbia Board of Elections. July 15, 2022. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ "General Election 2022 - Certified Results". District of Columbia Board of Elections. November 30, 2022. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.