California Department of Justice Awarded NAAG 2022 Supreme Court “Best Brief” Award for Defense of Commonsense Gun Laws

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the California Department of Justice was awarded the 2022 National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) Supreme Court "Best Brief" Award for its defense of commonsense gun laws in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen. The amicus brief California filed in the Supreme Court defended New York’s law regulating when and where individuals may obtain a license to carry firearms in public. California’s brief was joined by seventeen other States and the District of Columbia. The "Best Brief" Awards are awarded annually by NAAG and honor appellate practitioners from state attorney general offices nationwide for their outstanding work representing their states in front of the Supreme Court. This year, only two briefs received the award out of 39 submissions.

“I am incredibly proud of my team for their work on this brief and all the tireless hours spent defending gun regulations that safeguard our communities,” said Attorney General Bonta.  “Every day, whether at the Supreme Court or before other courts, the California Department of Justice is fighting to secure civil rights and protections for all. A special thank you to Solicitor General Michael J. Mongan, Deputy Solicitors General Samuel P. Siegel and Helen H. Hong, Associate Deputy Solicitor General Amari L. Hammonds, Supervising Deputy Attorney General Anthony Hakl, and Deputy Attorney General P. Patty Li for their excellent work on this case.”

The National Association of Attorneys General is the nonpartisan national forum for America's state and territory attorneys general. The winners were selected by a panel of independent experts who are experienced Supreme Court practitioners.