While attorneys general previously were appointed by the mayor, District of Columbia voters approved a charter amendment in 2010 that made the office an elected position beginning in 2015.

Various local attorneys were retained for particular matters, including Francis Scott Key, best known as the author of the text of The Star-Spangled Banner, who was paid $60 in 1820 for legal services.

[6] Attorney General Irv Nathan initially argued that Zukerberg was not suffering any “meaningful hardship” from pushing back the election.

[7] On February 7, 2014, a District of Columbia Superior Court judge ruled that ballots for the April 1 primary could be printed without the Attorney General race.

[12] Joining Zukerberg as candidates for the position were insurance litigator and activist Lorie Masters, federal lawyer Edward "Smitty" Smith, white-collar attorney Karl Racine, and legislative policy analyst Lateefah Williams.

In 2004, the office's name was changed from Corporation Counsel to Attorney General by Mayor's Order 2004-92, May 26,[19] making Robert Spagnoletti the only person to hold both titles.