Anne Milgram

Anne Milgram - Official Portrait

Anne Milgram is an American attorney and politician known for her work in criminal justice reform. She served as the 57th Attorney General of New Jersey, holding office from 2007 to 2010 under Governor Jon Corzine. Milgram's tenure as Attorney General was marked by her efforts to increase transparency within the criminal justice system, implement data-driven approaches to reducing crime, and focus on public corruption.

Early Life and Education

Anne Milgram was born in East Brunswick, New Jersey. She pursued her undergraduate education at Rutgers University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science. Following her graduation, Milgram attended New York University School of Law, earning her Juris Doctor. Her academic background laid the foundation for her career in law and her later focus on reforming the criminal justice system.

Career

Early Career

Before her appointment as Attorney General, Milgram's career included work as a prosecutor and as a litigator. She began her legal career as a clerk for a federal judge, after which she joined the Manhattan District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney. In this role, Milgram gained firsthand experience with the criminal justice system, an experience that would later inform her reform efforts.

Following her time in the Manhattan DA's office, Milgram worked for the Department of Justice, focusing on human trafficking cases. Her work in this area highlighted her commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring justice.

Attorney General of New Jersey

In 2007, Anne Milgram was appointed Attorney General of New Jersey by Governor Jon Corzine. As Attorney General, Milgram prioritized the fight against public corruption, drug trafficking, and gang violence. She was particularly noted for her use of data and technology to inform law enforcement strategies, a novel approach at the time that has since gained wider acceptance.

One of Milgram's significant initiatives was the development of a statewide performance measurement system to evaluate the effectiveness of law enforcement policies and practices. This system aimed to make the criminal justice system more accountable and efficient by focusing on outcomes rather than traditional metrics.

Post-Attorney General Career

After leaving the office of Attorney General, Milgram continued her work in criminal justice reform. She has served as a professor at New York University School of Law, where she has focused on teaching and developing initiatives related to criminal justice innovation and reform.

Milgram has also been involved in various national criminal justice reform projects and has spoken extensively on the need for systemic changes within the criminal justice system to ensure fairness, efficiency, and justice.

Legacy

Anne Milgram's work as Attorney General of New Jersey and her ongoing efforts in criminal justice reform have made her a respected figure in the field. Her emphasis on data-driven approaches and her commitment to transparency and accountability have contributed to ongoing discussions and initiatives aimed at improving the criminal justice system in the United States.