Skip to main content

Governor Phil Scott Appoints Susanne Young Attorney General of Vermont

June 22, 2022

Montpelier, Vt. - Governor Phil Scott has appointed Susanne Young, a former deputy attorney general and secretary of administration, to be Vermont’s attorney general. Young will fill a vacancy created when T.J. Donovan stepped down on June 20 to pursue other opportunities. She will serve out the six months remaining in the term.

Governor Scott said Young is uniquely qualified to serve in the post, having recently retired after 40 years of extensive and dedicated service to the State of Vermont. Most recently, she served as secretary of the Agency of Administration. Prior to that, she was deputy attorney general under Democratic Attorney General Bill Sorrell. In her decades of public service, she also served as deputy state treasurer and governor’s legal counsel.

“There are few with the experience and skillset needed to ensure this important office is stable and fully prepared to help transition to a newly elected attorney general in January,” said Governor Scott. “Susanne is the embodiment of public service, and it is especially meaningful that she will be the first woman to serve as Vermont’s top law enforcement officer.”

"Having worked in the Vermont Attorney General's office as a staff attorney and in leadership for 23 years, I am honored and excited to return and serve until the next attorney general takes office," said Young. "The services provided by the team of talented attorneys and staff, whether it be prosecuting serious crime, protecting consumers and the environment, or advising state officials, are of critical importance to Vermonters and I will work with them to transfer a highly functioning office to a new attorney general in a seamless transition. And I want to thank Governor Scott for placing his trust in me to serve in this important role."

Young began her service to the State after graduating from Vermont Law School in 1981. In addition to serving as deputy attorney general, deputy treasurer, and legal counsel to the Governor, Young was general counsel for the Vermont Department of Corrections and other departments within the Vermont Agency of Human Services, as well as director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and chief of the Criminal Justice Division of the Attorney General’s office.

“This is a great choice by Governor Scott,” said former Attorney General Bill Sorrell. “Susanne helped me so very much as my deputy AG. I have long thought she is well qualified to be Vermont’s attorney general and I’m confident she’ll do a great job.”

“I want to thank T.J. for his service to Vermont, both as attorney general, and as Chittenden County’s state’s attorney before that,” continued the Governor. “Public service is not easy, and I appreciate T.J. for his efforts on behalf of our state and its people. I also want to thank his team for stepping up during this unique transition. Their experience and support, combined with Susanne’s extensive experience, will ensure we will be well served by the Attorney General’s office and the next AG will be in an excellent position right out of the gate.”

Young’s appointment as attorney general will be effective July 5.