Eric Schneiderman

Eric Schneiderman was an American lawyer and politician who served as the Attorney General of New York from 2011 to 2018. He was a member of the Democratic Party and was elected to the New York State Senate in 1998, representing the 30th Senate District. Schneiderman was a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. He was also a fellow at the New York University School of Law and taught at the Yeshiva University's Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

● Early life and education

Eric Schneiderman was born in New York City to a family of Jewish descent. He grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and attended the Stuyvesant High School. Schneiderman then enrolled at Harvard University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society. After graduating from Harvard, he attended Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree and was a member of the Harvard Law Review. Schneiderman also studied at the University of Cambridge and was a fellow at the New York University School of Law.

● Career

Schneiderman began his career as a lawyer in the New York County District Attorney's Office, where he worked under Robert Morgenthau. He later joined the law firm of Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP and became a partner. In 1998, Schneiderman was elected to the New York State Senate, representing the 30th Senate District, which included parts of Manhattan and the Bronx. He served in the New York State Senate for 12 years, where he was a member of the Democratic Party and chaired the New York State Senate Committee on Codes. Schneiderman also worked with Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer on various legislative initiatives.

● New York State Attorney General

In 2010, Schneiderman was elected as the Attorney General of New York, succeeding Andrew Cuomo, who had become the Governor of New York. As Attorney General, Schneiderman focused on issues such as Wall Street reform, consumer protection, and environmental protection. He worked with other state attorneys general, including Kamala Harris and Maura Healey, to investigate and prosecute cases involving mortgage fraud and climate change. Schneiderman also launched investigations into companies such as Goldman Sachs and ExxonMobil, and worked with federal agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

● Personal life

Schneiderman was married to Jennifer Cunningham, a lobbyist and consultant, from 1990 to 2012. He has a daughter, Catherine Schneiderman, who attended the Brearley School and later enrolled at Yale University. Schneiderman was a resident of the Upper West Side of Manhattan and was a member of the West Side YMCA. He was also a supporter of various charitable organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

● Resignation and later career

In 2018, Schneiderman resigned as Attorney General after allegations of physical abuse were made against him by several women, including Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam. He was succeeded by Barbara Underwood, who became the first woman to serve as Attorney General of New York. After his resignation, Schneiderman faced investigations by the New York State Police and the FBI, but he was not charged with any crimes. Schneiderman has since kept a low public profile, but has worked as a consultant and advisor to various organizations, including the National Democratic Institute and the Open Society Foundations.

● Controversies and allegations

Schneiderman faced several controversies and allegations during his career, including accusations of physical abuse and sexual harassment. In 2018, the New Yorker published an article detailing allegations of abuse made by several women, including Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam. Schneiderman denied the allegations, but resigned as Attorney General shortly after the article was published. He also faced criticism for his handling of cases involving Wall Street executives and companies, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase. Schneiderman was also accused of using his office to pursue personal and political agendas, including his investigations into Donald Trump and the Trump Organization. Despite these controversies, Schneiderman remained a prominent figure in New York politics and was a supporter of various progressive causes, including the Women's March and the Black Lives Matter movement.