On February 2, 2009, Eric Holder secured his place in history as the first African-American U.S. attorney general after U.S. Senate confirmation.
Holder, born in the Bronx with roots in Barbados, had a distinguished career, including serving as a judge in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and as a United States attorney. He also held the position of deputy attorney general during President Bill Clinton’s administration.
Holder, an alumnus of Columbia University and Columbia Law School, previously worked for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Prior to becoming attorney general, he served as an attorney at Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C., representing notable clients like Merck and the National Football League. Notably, Holder represented the NFL during the investigation into dog fighting involving Michael Vick from 2001 until his appointment as attorney general.
