Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb has introduced a new cohort of legal minds to the District of Columbia's legal landscape with the announcement of the 2026 class of Charles F.C. Ruff Fellows. Nineteen promising law school graduates have been enlisted as Assistant Attorneys General, following the Office of the Attorney General's mission to bolster public interest legal work, according to a recent report by the Office of the Attorney General.
The Ruff Fellowship, established in 2012, has consistently paved pathways for recent graduates to delve into impactful legal service. "The Office of the Attorney General and the residents of the District of Columbia benefit greatly from the work of the Ruff Fellows each year, and we are excited to welcome this talented and accomplished new class to our ranks," Schwalb expressed. The fellowship jointly funded by OAG, and the graduates’ law schools boasts a selection process that is nothing short of highly competitive.
This year's diverse group hails from six local law schools; including Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, Georgetown University Law Center, George Washington University Law School, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, the University of Virginia School of Law, and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. Each fellow's assignment spans various divisions within the OAG, promising a range of specialized legal contributions to public service from Public Advocacy to Family Services.
The fellowship program honors the late Charles F.C. Ruff, who not only served as the District's Corporation Counsel from 1995 to 1997 but also made his mark as White House Counsel to President Bill Clinton and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Ruff's legacy continues, posthumously with the work of these fellows, as they join the ranks of the public interest law sector, Schwalb noted the significance of their commitment to service, stating, "I am grateful to the new class for answering the call to public service, and I am confident that their work will make a significant impact in the coming year."
More details about the fellow's individual assignments and future prospects within the OAG can be found on the Office of the Attorney General's announcement page, where the full list of the 2026 Ruff Fellows is provided along with their respective divisions. From defending public safety to advocating for families, these new Assistant Attorneys General are set to start their legal careers by making a tangible difference in the community they serve.
