Biography of Attorney General Steve Bullock

Steve Bullock was elected as Montana's 20th Attorney General in November 2008. As Attorney General, Bullock is the state's chief lawyer and law enforcement officer. He leads the Montana Department of Justice, which encompasses the Forensic Science Laboratory, the Montana Highway Patrol, the Motor Vehicle Division, Gambling Control, Legal Services and the Division of Criminal Investigation, as well as the department's information technology staff.

Attorney General Bullock is committed to:

• curbing prescription drug abuse and reducing drunk driving in Montana by supporting strong enforcement, building community awareness and working with the legislature to strengthen Montana law. He has assembled a diverse advisory council on prescription drug abuse and used grant funding to create a six-person drug diversion unit.
• protecting Montana consumers. He has increased the commitment to the Office of Consumer Protection, including adding two new attorneys, one of whom specializes in issues affecting Montana's farmers and ranchers.
• making Montana communities safer, especially for children. Bullock has dedicated a prosecutor within his office to focus exclusively on crimes against children; improved the policing of online predators; supported the development of a Children's Justice Center within the Department of Justice to coordinate efforts to enforce the laws relating to sexual violence against children, and provided the staff resources necessary to ensure that offenders comply with Sexual or Violent Offender Registry requirements.

Steve also has a strong commitment to public access to Montana's streams and public lands, and worked with the legislature to solidify the public's right to access streams. Another of his top priorities is providing strong support to local law enforcement and Montana's county attorneys.

Bullock began his career in public service in 1996 as chief legal counsel to the Montana Secretary of State. He went on to serve four years with the Montana Department of Justice, first as executive assistant attorney general, and later as acting chief deputy (1997-2001). During this time, he also served as legislative director, coordinating the Attorney General's legislative efforts.

From 2001 to 2004, Bullock practiced law with the Washington, D.C. firm of Steptoe & Johnson. While there, he also served as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University School of Law.

Prior to his election as Attorney General, Bullock was in private practice in Helena where he represented individuals, consumer organizations, labor unions, peace officers, associations of political subdivisions, and small and large businesses.

Steve was born in Missoula and graduated from the Helena public school system. He received his undergraduate degree from Claremont McKenna College and his law degree with honors from Columbia University Law School in New York.

Steve and his wife Lisa have three children, Caroline, Alexandria and Cameron.