Shapiro nominates Acting Attorney General for AG

Pennsylvania’s Acting Attorney General Michelle Henry has been nominated by Gov. Josh Shapiro to serve as Attorney General. 

Henry’s nomination has been sent to the Senate for advice and consent. 

A longtime public servant and prosecutor, Henry served as First Deputy under Shapiro in his previous role as Attorney General. 

Henry called the work Shapiro did in the Office of Attorney General the “gold standard” in restoring institutional integrity. She said Pennsylvanians should expect the Office of Attorney General to “stay strong, be bold, and continue to do groundbreaking work” on behalf of the state’s citizens. 

“Public service is what drives the dedicated employees of this office to work hard and stand up for the kids, consumers, and victims of crime when they need a fighter on their side,” Henry said in a statement. “As Attorney General, I will be dedicated to making sure this work continues nonstop and that this office will always have Pennsylvanian’s backs.” 

Shapiro said Henry’s decades-long experience as a prosecutor and in public service will serve her well as AG. 

“I have complete confidence in her ability to represent the Commonwealth,” said Shapiro, “and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure the people of Pennsylvania can be safe and feel safe in their communities.” 

Henry’s experience includes 26 years as a prosecutor. She has risen from intern in the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office to Pennsylvania’s chief law enforcement officer. 

As First Deputy Attorney General, Henry was responsible for overseeing the Office’s legal matters. Included in this is criminal cases seeking justice for victims, civil suits representing the state, and public protection cases fighting for the rights of consumers. 

Prior to serving as First Deputy Attorney General, Henry spent 20 years in the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. Her responsibilities included Chief of Major Crimes, Chief of Child Abuse, and First Assistant. In 2008, she was appointed Bucks County District Attorney with a bipartisan vote. 

In 2017, Henry received Widener University Commonwealth Law School’s Excellence in Public Service Alumni Award for “extraordinary contributions” to public service.