About Patrick
The youngest of seven children, Patrick Lynch learned at a young age that he needed to speak up if he wanted to be heard. He was told no matter the odds, he needed to fight for what he thought was right.
He continues to speak up and fight for Rhode Island everyday. As Rhode Island’s 72nd Attorney General, Patrick Lynch has used aggressive and innovative tactics to put criminals away, advocated for civil rights, protected the environment and has defended Rhode Island citizens and consumers from unscrupulous companies.
Patrick was elected President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) by his peers because of his leadership on important legal and social issues. His election marked the first time a Rhode Island Attorney General had been chosen by his national colleagues to serve in NAAG’s top leadership post.
Patrick was the first in the nation to use new Internet forensic technology to put child pornographers behind bars.
Today, Rhode Island is leading the nation in protecting victims of domestic violence thanks to the Lindsay Ann Burke Act—a law Patrick helped enact with Lindsay Ann’s parents who lost their daughter far too early in her life. This law has become model legislation for the entire country.
Thanks to Patrick’s leadership, legislation was passed to create the first specialized Elder Abuse Unit. He is the first Attorney General in Rhode Island history to appoint a Civil Rights Advocate in his office.
In fact, he is the only Attorney General in Rhode Island history that has brought successful enforcement actions against individuals who have violated the rights of gay citizens and same-sex couples to live without discrimination, intimidation and the fear of physical violence.
Patrick’s record on protecting Rhode Island’s environment is unmatched. When our coasts were exposed to tankers carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG), he stepped in and is credited with redirecting the toxic tankers away from our shores.
As Governor, Patrick will continue to speak up and fight for Rhode Islanders the same way he has as Attorney General. He will make creating jobs and building the economy his top priority.
Patrick received his undergraduate degree from Brown University. While at Brown he led the basketball team to its first Ivy League Championship and its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He also studied at Queen's University of Belfast while playing professional basketball in Ireland and taking part in a program called Sports Corps, modeled after the Peace Corps. After returning to the United States, Lynch earned a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School.
He is the proud father of a daughter Kelsy, 13, and son Graham, 12.
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