John Formella was sworn into office as New Hampshire Attorney General on April 22, 2021 after being nominated for the position by Governor Chris Sununu and confirmed by the Executive Council. As Attorney General, Formella serves as New Hampshire’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Chief Prosecutor, and Chief Legal Officer.
Prior to this role, Attorney General Formella served as Governor Chris Sununu’s Legal Counsel, advising the Governor on all significant legal issues and litigation affecting the State of New Hampshire. These included significant healthcare settlements, the statewide response to the opioid crisis, criminal justice reform initiatives, and the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Before his work in public service, Attorney General Formella began his legal career in private practice at Pierce Atwood LLP, one of the largest law firms in Northern New England, where he was a member of the Business and Environmental Law practice groups.
He is also active in the community, serving previously as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the City of Portsmouth and as a board member of McGregor Memorial EMS, a volunteer ambulance corps in Durham, New Hampshire.
In 2019, he was recognized by the New Hampshire Union Leader as one of New Hampshire’s “40 Under Forty”, and by the Seacoast Media Group and Catapult Seacoast as one of the “10 to watch” young professionals in the New Hampshire Seacoast region.
Attorney General Formella is a Phi Betta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude graduate of Florida State University and graduated with honors from George Washington University Law, where he was a member of the George Washington University International Law Review.
Attorney General Formella currently lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.