District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb is facing scrutiny from several watchdog groups who have requested a congressional investigation into his contracting practices. The Foundation for American Innovation, the American Tort Reform Association, and the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research have collectively urged Congress to examine what they describe as ethically questionable practices by Schwalb.
The groups expressed their concerns in a letter to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. They highlighted a "troubling pattern" where Schwalb allegedly awarded lucrative legal contracts to political allies and former employees. The letter states, "Attorney General Schwalb has established a troubling pattern of awarding lucrative contracts to outside contingency fee counsel who are both political allies and former employees of his office."
Among the contracts under scrutiny is a $55 million agreement with Edelson PC for litigation against Google in January 2023, followed by another $55 million contract for a case against Meta in November 2023, and an $85 million contract related to lead pipe litigation in March 2025. Edelson PC employs Jimmy Rock, a former assistant attorney general in D.C., raising concerns about potential favoritism.
Additionally, the Foundation raised issues regarding Schwalb’s use of the Special Assistant Attorney General program funded by Michael Bloomberg’s Environmental Impact Center. This program places private attorneys in public roles to litigate environmental cases, which critics argue leverages public authority for ideological purposes.
Schwalb's partnership with Sher Edling, known for climate lawsuits and its donations to Democratic politicians, also came under fire. Critics argue that these arrangements blur the line between law enforcement and political patronage.
The Foundation’s Director of Technology Policy Luke Hogg signed the letter urging Congress to consider measures similar to those in some states to ensure transparency and accountability or even banning outside counsel use in D.C., akin to federal agencies.
"Government litigation should serve the best interests of constituents," reads the letter. "Congress could consider implementing a ban on engaging with outside counsel... or follow several states by implementing measures to ensure maximum transparency."
Schwalb was elected unopposed in 2022 with 97.5% of the vote. His tenure has been criticized by conservative circles for prioritizing high-profile lawsuits over local issues like crime and public safety.
