Herbert Slatery


Herbert H. Slatery III is an American attorney from the state of Tennessee. A Republican, he serves as the Attorney General of Tennessee.

Early life

Herbert Slatery received his bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law.

Career

Slatery served as Bill Haslam's campaign treasurer when Haslam ran for mayor of Knoxville, and as chief legal counsel during Haslam's governorship. The Supreme Court of Tennessee chose Slatery to succeed Robert E. Cooper Jr. as attorney general on September 15, 2014. He was sworn in on October 1.
In April 2016, Slatery argued that an anti-transgender discrimination bill would cost the state of Tennessee millions in federal funding. However, in May 2016, he said Tennessee would cover the legal costs incurred by lawsuits should specific schools in the state choose not to follow federal non-discrimination policies towards transgender students. He also decided to sue the United States Department of Education over the policy.
In June 2017, Slatery joined with Republican Attorneys General from nine other states, plus Idaho Governor Butch Otter, in threatening the Donald Trump administration that they would litigate if the president did not terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy that had been put into place by president Barack Obama. On August 31, Slatery reversed his position, withdrew his support of the proposed lawsuit, and urged passage of the DREAM Act.
On February 8, 2019, Slatery issued an opinion that gender identity is covered under Tennessee's hate crime laws.

Personal life

Slatery and his wife live in Nashville, Tennessee.