Voices from Across My Office: The Legal Counsel Division
At the Office of the Attorney General, we’re proud of the broad array of work we do on behalf of the District, and the hundreds of employees who make our agency run. “Voices from Across My Office” is a blog series highlighting some of the people behind our efforts and the variety of work they do to support, defend, and stand up for District residents. This week’s spotlight is on the Legal Counsel Division.
About the Legal Counsel Division
The Legal Counsel Division (LCD) is one of OAG’s smallest divisions, but it plays a very important role in District government. Its mission is to provide high quality legal advice to the Mayor and executive agencies, the Attorney General, the Council of the District of Columbia, and the District of Columbia Courts. The legal matters LCD weighs in on range from reviewing and approving agency rules, to implementing testing and mask mandates for COVID, to providing advice regarding whether the District could hold hearings or introduce legislation to permit recreational sales of marijuana. The Division is also working to ensure the District’s ghost gun laws — critical legislation designed to improve public safety — comply with the U.S. Constitution.
LCD reviews bills, resolutions, rulemakings, and Mayoral orders to ensure that they comply with the law. In some situations, the Division prepares legislation and rulemakings. The Division’s analysis helps ensure the District operates effectively, legally, and efficiently, and helps limit the District’s legal liability. One of the attorneys in LCD is the District’s Ethics Counselor, who provides legal counsel on issues related to legal ethics across District government and on government ethics for employees.
Below are some of the extraordinary and mission-driven people that make up the Legal Counsel Division.
Staff Spotlights
Name: Joshua “Josh” Turner
Title: Assistant Attorney General
Time at OAG: 9 Years
Why did you become a lawyer?
I developed a strong interest in the law in college. I took a Constitutional Law class where I was introduced to the overarching concepts of Constitutional Law. During this class, I had the opportunity to do a mock oral argument. I also participated in debate in both high school and college, so I particularly enjoyed this.
What kind of legal work did you do before working in LCD?
I worked in legal clinics, and even interned with OAG’s Civil Litigation Division at one point. I also worked with an organization called the Constitution Project, which researches and advocates policies that aim to cross partisan lines on difficult areas.
What is something you learned about the job that you didn’t know going into it?
I don’t think that when I started, I fully appreciated all the unique wrinkles that stem from the complicated relationship between the District and the federal government. We see that in administrative law questions and in the way we think about emergency, temporary, and permanent legislation. DC’s governmental system must build in Congressional Review of most legislation, which is something that no other state has to do.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I love to sing. I grew up singing in youth choirs. After I moved to DC, I joined the Capitol Hill Chorale, which I have been a part of since 2016. Although it has been a challenge to meet during the pandemic, we have figured out ways to meet and sing safely.
Name: Patricia “Pat” Jones
Title: Staff Assistant
Time at OAG: 20 Years
Tell us a little bit about your job.
Part of my job includes tracking assignments and assignment numbers for attorneys. I also conduct data collection.
Where did you work before coming to OAG?
I worked in a Maryland-based IT Firm. I was an Executive Assistant for the Vice President of Quality Assurance.
What does an average workday look like for you?
An average day for me involves maintaining LCD Excel Logs (“Logs”) and answering any questions that the attorneys might have. If someone outside of LCD is looking for a legal matter/document I assist them, which often involves me searching the Logs. I also track assignments for monthly and yearly statistics, assign all Enrolled Bills when they come into the office from the Office of Policy and Legislative Affairs, and do any last-minute tasks as they occur.
What do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy long walks, working out, taking in nature, and quiet relaxing times at home.
Name: Laurie Ensworth
Title: Senior Assistant Attorney General
Time at OAG: 30 Years
Tell us about your path to being a lawyer.
I’ve always been very interested in social justice. As a young person, I was very politically active in a number of ways. In college, I wrote my thesis on Civil Disobedience. Also, in college, I participated in a Civil Disobedience Action at a nuclear power plant. I didn’t get arrested but others around me did and went to trial. This all really sparked my interest in using the law as a mechanism for social change.
Tell us a little bit about your job and how it impacts DC residents.
In LCD, we give advice in a lot of different forms to people such as the Attorney General, the Council, and the Mayor, as well as the executive branch agencies. LCD helps the government accomplish its objectives through legal advice. Most of what we do does not directly impact District residents, however, we help the government operate effectively and legally.
What other areas have you worked in besides LCD?
My initial job was at the Manhattan DA’s Office. There, I prosecuted street crime and worked in the Domestic Violence Unit. After I moved to the District, I worked in the Financial Institutions Unit at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for about a year and found I missed working on cases that involved families. I started off at OAG as a Staff Attorney in the Child Support Section. I did that for a year or two, and then went on to work as a Policy Specialist Attorney in the Family Services Division. From there, I went back to the Child Support Section, where I worked as the Assistant Chief of that Section. During that time, I was involved in an OAG led effort to consolidate the program and bring the administrative functions that were at DHS and the Superior Court into OAG to form what is now CSSD. I was Senior Counsel for the whole program for about 7 years. After that, I went on to work in LCD.
What might someone find you doing during the weekend?
I like to play Go, an ancient Asian strategy game, and occasionally play at tournaments. I also like to cook, read, travel, and do yoga and meditation.
