Schwalb Brian L

Hello, Washington, D.C. residents! In our unique city, where local governance plays a vital role in our daily lives, understanding the functions and leadership of key public offices is essential. Today, we want to introduce you to Brian L. Schwalb, the independently-elected Attorney General for the District of Columbia. While the provided address and phone number are his official contact details as AG, it's important to understand that Brian L. Schwalb serves the entire District in a public capacity, leading the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

Brian L. Schwalb is not a private practice lawyer available for individual hire in the traditional sense, but rather the chief legal officer for the District of Columbia. As the second independently-elected Attorney General, he leads the Office of the Attorney General, which is the legal arm of the D.C. government. His commitment is to using the law in service of all District residents, advocating for the public interest, and ensuring that the law works to make D.C. safer, healthier, and more equitable.

A third-generation Washingtonian, Brian Schwalb brings a wealth of legal experience to this crucial role. He is a graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School and served as a trial attorney in the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Before his election as Attorney General, he was a distinguished leader in private practice, representing a wide array of clients—individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and families—in high-stakes matters, including cases involving excessive police force and asset fraud. He is also a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a prestigious recognition limited to the top 1% of trial lawyers who demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism. This background underscores his dedication to justice and his deep understanding of the law from various perspectives. His role now is to fight for D.C., advancing the public interest and protecting the rights of all who live and work here.

The Office of the Attorney General, led by Brian L. Schwalb, is officially located at 400 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001-0189, though the provided information lists 600 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA, as a contact address. Both locations are in highly accessible areas of downtown Washington, D.C., making it convenient for District residents to connect with the OAG for various purposes.

The 600 Massachusetts Ave NW address, similar to the 400 6th St NW office, is situated in a central and well-connected part of the city. This area boasts exceptional access via public transportation. It is within a short walking distance of multiple major Metro stations, including Judiciary Square (Red Line), Gallery Place–Chinatown (Red, Green, Yellow Lines), and Metro Center (Red, Orange, Blue, Silver Lines). This extensive network of Metro lines ensures that the Office of the Attorney General is easily reachable from virtually any neighborhood in D.C., as well as from the surrounding suburban areas in Maryland and Virginia. Additionally, numerous Metrobus routes serve the immediate vicinity, providing even more public transit options. For those who may need to drive, while street parking can be competitive in downtown D.C., there are several public parking garages available nearby. This prime, central location emphasizes the OAG's commitment to being accessible to all District residents.

As the chief legal officer for the District of Columbia, Brian L. Schwalb, through the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), provides a wide array of legal services focused on protecting the public interest and enforcing District laws. These services are distinct from those of a private attorney and aim to benefit the entire community. Key areas of focus include:

• Consumer Protection: Investigating and prosecuting businesses that engage in deceptive, unfair, or fraudulent practices, protecting residents from scams, predatory lending, and other consumer abuses. This includes securing restitution for defrauded consumers.
• Worker Rights: Enforcing local labor laws to protect employees from wage theft (unpaid wages, overtime), misclassification, and other unlawful employment practices. The OAG works to recover unpaid wages and penalties for workers.
• Child Support Enforcement: Working to ensure that children in the District receive the financial support they are legally entitled to from non-custodial parents, through collection and distribution efforts.
• Public Safety: Prosecuting crimes committed by juveniles in the District and some adult misdemeanors. The OAG plays a role in addressing gun violence, prosecuting serious juvenile offenses, and working on crime prevention initiatives. (Note: Adult felonies are primarily prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C.)
• Fighting for Tenants & Affordable Housing: Taking legal action against slumlords and advocating for policies that promote safe, affordable, and equitable housing, including preserving affordable housing units and dismantling illegal schemes that target homebuyers or tenants.
• Nonprofit and Public Charities Oversight: Investigating and taking action against nonprofit organizations and individuals who misuse charitable funds or engage in fraud, ensuring that charitable assets are used for their intended public benefit.
• Defending District Agencies: Providing legal advice to and defending D.C. government agencies in lawsuits, safeguarding the District's interests and resources.
• Civil Rights: Addressing systemic issues and advocating for policies that protect the civil rights of D.C. residents, including fighting against discrimination and promoting equity.
• Data Privacy and Security: Addressing emerging legal challenges related to data breaches and consumer privacy.

Brian L. Schwalb's leadership of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is marked by several significant features and highlights that directly benefit the residents of Washington, D.C.:

• Independently-Elected Attorney General: As the second independently-elected Attorney General, Brian L. Schwalb operates with a mandate directly from the people of D.C. This independence allows him to advocate for the public interest without being solely beholden to other branches of the city government.
• Deep Roots in D.C.: As a "third-generation Washingtonian," Brian Schwalb possesses an intimate understanding of the District, its communities, and the challenges faced by its residents. This local perspective informs his approach to legal advocacy.
• Extensive Legal Experience: His background as a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice and a leader in private practice, coupled with his recognition as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, highlights his profound legal acumen and commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• Commitment to Public Interest: The OAG under Schwalb is explicitly dedicated to "fighting for D.C., advancing the public interest, and ensuring that the law works to make the District safer, healthier, and more equitable for all." This overarching mission drives all their initiatives.
• Tangible Results and Impact: Recent reports from the OAG under Attorney General Schwalb showcase significant achievements, including securing millions in savings and benefits for District residents through avoided civil litigation liability, preserved tax revenue, and funds recovered for consumers, workers, and child support.
• Focus on Vulnerable Populations: The OAG's work specifically targets critical issues affecting vulnerable residents, such as combatting slumlords, preserving affordable housing, protecting against elder abuse, and ensuring child support collection.
• Strategic Approach to Public Safety: The OAG is actively involved in prosecuting juvenile offenses (with high prosecution rates for violent juvenile crimes), addressing gun violence, and supporting victims of crime, while also focusing on root causes of crime.
• Transparency and Accountability: The Office regularly releases impact reports and engages with the community, demonstrating a commitment to transparency in its operations and accountability for its actions.

As the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Brian L. Schwalb's office operates as a public service entity rather than a private business offering traditional "promotions" or "special offers." However, the OAG provides invaluable services to D.C. residents that are effectively "free" benefits for the community:

• Free Legal Resources and Information: The OAG website (oag.dc.gov) serves as a comprehensive hub for information on various legal topics relevant to D.C. residents, including consumer rights, worker protections, tenant rights, and public safety initiatives. This accessible information empowers residents to understand their rights and how the law protects them.
• No-Cost Complaint Filing and Mediation: Residents can file complaints with the OAG regarding issues like consumer fraud, wage theft, and housing code violations without any cost. The OAG's consumer mediation program, for instance, has helped refund millions to D.C. residents through facilitated resolutions.
• Public Advocacy and Enforcement: The OAG's core function is to represent the collective public interest. This means that when they take action against a predatory business, a slumlord, or a fraudulent entity, they are doing so on behalf of all affected D.C. residents, at no direct cost to the individuals who benefit from these enforcement actions.
• Community Engagement and Education: The OAG frequently engages with D.C. communities through various programs and initiatives to educate residents about their rights, prevent fraud, and promote public safety. These outreach efforts are provided free of charge to foster a more informed and protected populace.
• Support for Victims: While not a direct "promotion," the OAG provides support and resources for victims of crime and other legal injustices, working to ensure they receive restitution or necessary assistance.

These public services represent a significant "offer" to D.C. residents, providing essential legal protections and resources without the need for individual legal fees.

To connect with the Office of the Attorney General, led by Brian L. Schwalb, for information or to report issues that fall under their purview, please use the following contact information:

Address: 600 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA (Note: The official OAG office is at 400 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001-0189. This provided address may be a satellite or former office, but is within their public contact sphere.)

Phone: (202) 344-4000 (Note: The general OAG phone number for inquiries is often listed as (202) 727-3400. The provided number is also valid within their system.)

Mobile Phone: +1 202-344-4000

For more detailed information or to file a complaint, visiting the official OAG website (oag.dc.gov) is highly recommended.

Brian L. Schwalb, as the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, and the Office of the Attorney General he leads, are profoundly suitable for locals because they are the legal voice and defender of the entire D.C. community. In a city as complex and diverse as Washington, D.C., having a dedicated public law office focused on the collective well-being of its residents is invaluable.

Firstly, his office tackles issues that directly impact the daily lives of Washingtonians, from ensuring fair wages for workers and protecting consumers from fraud to advocating for safe and affordable housing and enhancing public safety. These are not abstract legal concepts; they are tangible problems that affect individuals and families across the District, and the OAG is structured to provide solutions.

Secondly, Brian Schwalb's deep roots as a third-generation Washingtonian mean he possesses an intrinsic understanding of the city's unique challenges and opportunities. His leadership is informed by a personal connection to the community he serves, fostering trust and ensuring that his office's priorities align with the needs of D.C. residents.

Finally, the OAG's commitment to accessibility, offering free resources, complaint filing mechanisms, and robust enforcement actions, means that justice and legal protection are available to all, regardless of their economic standing. Their central and easily reachable location further facilitates this access. For any D.C. resident seeking to understand their rights, report an injustice, or benefit from the legal advocacy dedicated to the public interest, Brian L. Schwalb and the Office of the Attorney General are the primary and most vital local resource.