Biography

Sworn into a second term of office on January 2, 2007, Patrick C. Lynch, 43, became the 72nd person to hold the office of Rhode Island Attorney General since its inception in 1650, and is the second youngest person to be elected to the office.

As Attorney General, Lynch has been leading the way on cutting-edge issues that are shaping public policies, not only in Rhode Island, but across the country. Lynch successfully litigated a public nuisance lawsuit against three major corporations responsible for manufacturing lead paint. The landmark verdict against the companies means that they will be held financially accountable for cleaning up lead paint in Rhode Island homes. Lynch also defeated the proposed development of a LNG terminal in Providence and continues to advocate for the rights of states to oppose LNG terminals along our coastlines and in our waterways. In the past six years, Attorney General Lynch has won or settled landmark cases requiring the federal government to regulate carbon dioxide and improve fuel economy, requiring Brayton Point to reduce its impacts on Mount Hope Bay, and requiring the Navy to pay monetary damages for the disposal of hazardous waste at Quonset Point.

Since taking office Lynch has been a staunch advocate for civil rights and for improving the legal protections we afford to our children and our seniors. In 2005, Lynch pushed through legislation to establish a specialized Elder Abuse Unit, and to create a Civil Rights unit. He is the first Attorney General in Rhode Island history to appoint a Civil Rights Advocate in his office. Lynch has brought successful enforcement actions against individuals who have violated the rights of gay citizens and same-sex couples to live without fear of discrimination, intimidation and threat of physical violence. Lynch is the only Rhode Island Attorney General to have ever brought such cases. In 2008, Lynch created an Open Government Unit within the Office of Attorney General. One of the central objectives of his administration has been to make his office more open and accountable to the people he serves. This legislative session, he also introduced the first of its kind Government Integrity legislation - which if passed would allow the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute elected officials for certain crimes related to public corruption.

Lynch’s leadership on important legal and social issues has earned him the respect of his national peers. He was recently elected President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). He will begin serving in the summer of 2008. Attorney General Lynch’s election marks the first time a Rhode Island Attorney General has been chosen by his national colleagues to serve in NAAG’s top leadership post.

Lynch is one of only three state attorneys general responsible for the prosecution of all felonies and misdemeanors in their states in addition to having responsibilities under civil law. He represents all state agencies, departments and commissions in litigation.

In his role as criminal prosecutor, Attorney General Lynch aggressively enforces the state’s criminal laws, and has advanced numerous policy initiatives and lawsuits to make the laws more effective. He has a strong voice in shaping legislation aimed at strengthening the state’s criminal justice system, advancing the rights of victims, and affording additional protections to consumers. In the past two legislative sessions, he successfully lobbied for passage of bills strengthening drunken-driving laws, linking school attendance rates with teenagers' driving privileges, enhancing school safety plans, and penalizing adults who buy alcohol for minors. A proud parent of Kelsy, 12, and Graham, 10, Lynch has visited at least one school a week while in office, to speak to kids about making the right choices and to urge against harmful behaviors such as bullying, truancy, gang involvement, and substance abuse.

Lynch received his undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from Brown University in 1987. While at Brown he led the basketball team to its first Ivy League Championship and its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He also studied at Queen's University of Belfast while playing professional basketball in Ireland and taking part in a program called Sports Corps, modeled after the Peace Corps. After returning to the United States, Lynch earned a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 1992.