Women fare well in AG's office

Women are well represented in the attorney general's office.

Although there are few female district attorneys or sheriffs in North Carolina, nearly half of the staff attorneys in Roy Cooper's office are women — 142 out of 297 attorneys. They handle civil and criminal cases, offer consumer protection and provide legal advice to state boards and commissions.

According to spokeswoman Noelle Talley, a number of women also serve in leadership roles in the Department of Justice. Out of the 110 leadership positions at the State Bureau of Investigation, 21 are held by women, including Director Robin Pendergraft.

Cooper appointed Pendergraft in 2001, making her the first woman to hold that post.

In addition, Cooper's chiefs of staff, Kristi Hyman and her predecessor Julia White, are both women, as is the head of the N.C. Justice Academy, which provides training to local law enforcement agencies.

"He's made it a priority to make sure that women are well-represented throughout the Department of Justice," Talley said.