Organization of the Office
The Department of Law is organized into 5 legal divisions and one operations division. In addition, there is an “Attorney General Division” which includes the front office, our Special Prosecutions Unit, our Counsel to the Attorney General and our Communications Office.
Regulated Industries and Professions – The Regulated Industries and Professions Division is divided into three sections, to wit: Consumer Interests Section, State Licensing Boards Section and Environmental and Natural Resources Section. The Consumer Interests Section provides legal advice and representation to the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs, Insurance Commissioner, Comptroller General, Industrial Loan Commissioner, Fire Marshall, State Board of Workers’ Compensation, Subsequent Injury Trust Fund, Commission on Equal Opportunity, Division of Health Planning of the Department of Community Health, Public Service Commission, Commission on Women, Human Relations Commission and the Secretary of State. The State Licensing Boards Section provides legal advice and representation to most of the Georgia Boards and Commissions that issue professional licenses, some 52 in number. The Environmental and Natural Resources Section provides legal advice and representation to the Department of Natural Resources including the Environmental Protection Division, the Department of Agriculture, the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the Seed Commission, the Forestry Commission, the Agricultural Exposition Authority, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Council on American Indian Concerns and the newly-created Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District.
Commercial Transactions and Litigation – The Commercial Transactions and Litigation Division provides legal representation in transactions and litigation involving the revenue, financial and property operations of state government.The tax section of the Division represents the Department of Revenue in tax litigation before Georgia state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings. The section also advises the Revenue Department in the interpretation and application of state law tax, and deals with federal tax issues affecting state agencies, including IRS employment tax questions and audits. The real property, construction, transportation and authorities section of the Division provides general legal representation for the Department of Transportation, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, and other state agencies and public authorities. In addition to providing general and transactional legal assistance, the section conducts the state’s civil litigation in construction claims and disputes as well as in transportation, motor vehicle and environmental cases in Georgia state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings. The section handles the legal aspects of real property acquisitions for the state, including the university system, highways and state parks and preservation areas. The business and finance section of the Division provides guidance and litigation for all state government in the following areas: bond finance, lottery operations, bankruptcy, procurement, budget and general business matters. Its regulatory practice includes civil enforcement of the law regulating mortgage lenders and brokers, the Georgia Securities Act, charitable trusts, hospital acquisitions and alcoholic beverages. The section provides general representation to the State Auditor, the Office of Planning and Budget, the Georgia Lottery Corporation, the Department of Administrative Services, and other agencies and authorities.
Criminal Justice Division - The Criminal Justice Division is divided into four sections: Capital Litigation, Post-Conviction Litigation, Public Safety and the State Healthcare Fraud Control Unit and provides general legal representation to the various public safety/law enforcement agencies in the state.
The Capital Litigation Section handles post-conviction litigation in cases in which the death penalty was imposed beginning at the direct appeal stage and continuing through all state and federal habeas corpus cases. In addition, the section provides assistance on interlocutory appeals in potential death penalty cases as well as advice to district attorneys who try the cases. The Post-Conviction Section is responsible for filing briefs in all murder cases in which a death sentence was not imposed, i.e., those with sentences of life or life without parole. In addition, the section is responsible for handling all state and federal habeas corpus cases filed by inmates in state prisons, probation detention centers, on probation or parole. The section also files briefs in the United States Supreme Court in all criminal cases in which the state is a party except for death penalty cases and those prosecuted by this office. The Public Safety Section provides general legal representation for the law enforcement/public safety agencies, including the Department of Corrections, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety (and the Boards related to those agencies), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council, the Georgia Department of Defense, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and the Coroner’s Training Council. In addition, the section provides general representation for district attorneys. The general representation includes litigation and advice on most matters except civil rights, torts, and employment litigation. The State Healthcare Fraud Control Unit of the Law Department works in conjunction with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Audits and is responsible for prosecuting cases of medicaid fraud and patient abuse in facilities receiving medicaid funding.
General Litigation Division – The General Litigation Division is divided into the Civil Rights Section, the Tort Section and the Workers' Compensation Section. The attorneys in each Section maintain an active trial practice, handling cases from initial pleadings through trial and appeals. The Civil Rights Section defends state officers and employees in federal court actions alleging civil rights violations, primarily under the First, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. The Tort Section defends state agencies and employees in state court tort actions throughout the State. These actions include wrongful death, medical malpractice, automobile accidents and other negligence claims. The Workers' Compensation Section defends the Department of Administrative Services and other state agencies in workers' compensation claims filed before the State Board of Workers' Compensation.
Government Services & Employment Division – This division is divided into three sections which encompass a broad range of government activities and services. They are Health and Social Services, Employment and Labor Law and Education/Elections/Government Services. The Health and Social Services section provides representation to the Department of Human Resources, including its divisions of Family and Children’s Services, Vital Records and Regulatory Services. This section of the Departments of Law also represents the Departments of Juvenile Justice and Community Health. In all these areas, the attorneys provide day-to-day legal advice, as well as both trial and appellate level representation in both state and federal courts. The Employment and Labor Law section generally represents all state agencies and entities in claims related to allegations of discrimination in hiring, promotion, retention and termination. While most of this litigation is conducted in federal trial and appellate courts, there are also cases, including employment contract claims, which may be pursued in state courts. Additionally, this section represents the state Department of Labor and all of the State retirement systems. The Education/Election/Government Services section provides general representation to all state educational agencies, including the Board of Regents, the State Department of Education, the Department of Technical and Adult Education, the Student Finance Commission and the Professional Standards Commission. Additionally, this section represents the Secretary of State’s Elections Division and the State Ethics Commission, as well as representing the State and its officials in matters related to reapportionment and redistricting. This section also represents the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Court of Appeals, the superior court judges and the State’s judicial agencies and provides general representation on matters involving open records, open meetings and conflicts of interest.
Special Prosecutions - Pursuant to the Attorney General’s duty to enforce the public integrity laws of Georgia, the Special Prosecutions Unit, either independently or with other law enforcement agencies, conducts investigations into allegations of illegal conduct by state officials or employees or private individuals or firms dealing with state government. When warranted in such cases, the Unit prosecutes charges of criminal conduct in the courts of this state. In addition, the Unit prosecutes cases of financial identity theft, securities fraud and, upon direction of the Governor, other types of specialized theft cases to include insurance fraud, and telemarketing fraud. The Unit is also active in combating cybercrime, particularly where the state or state agencies have been targeted. Finally, the Unit, upon requisition by superior court judges, provides prosecutorial services in any cases where local district attorneys have been recused.
Counsel to the Attorney General – The Counsel position is responsible for review, coordination and publication of official and unofficial opinions of the Attorney General. In addition, the Counsel to the Attorney General serves a liaison function with respect to both the Georgia General Assembly and the National Association of Attorneys General.
Operations Division: The Operations Division is responsible for providing administrative support to the legal divisions. The Division is divided into four areas:
Associated Document(s):Computer Services – The Computer Services Section manages all of the computer support functions for the Department, including purchasing, installation and maintenance of all hardware and software; maintaining, developing and supporting all databases (case management, timekeeping, billing, document management); records management; purchasing of all computer/printer supplies; training in the use of various applications; assisting in preparation of exhibits for court, presentations, & conferences; notifying Divisions of pending court hearings; and processing incoming mail and hand deliveries.
Financial Services – The Financial Services Section manages the Department's internal financial and related administrative functions, including budget preparation for the Department; accounting services (review and payment of all invoices, recording revenues, making deposits, and issuing invoices for reimbursement of costs associated with specific court cases); property management; purchasing and management of supplies; coordination of service providers including telephone, photocopiers and the Building Authority Mail Distribution.
Human Resources – Human Resource’s primary functions include identifying staffing needs and ensuring the most qualified, available applicants are hired; ensuring all employees are informed of benefits and changes in those benefits; and maintaining accurate, updated employee records. Additionally, Human Resources inputs and monitors payroll, which includes the reconciliation of employee-related deductions, along with developing and maintaining organizational policy. Finally, Human Resources not only assist managers in resolving employee relations’ issues, HR staff assists all employees with their work and/or benefit related problems.
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Organization chart for website.pdf |
| Organization Chart 2009 |