Barbara Dale Underwood (born August 16, 1944) is an American lawyer serving as the solicitor general of New York.
Underwood herself served briefly as the attorney general of New York upon Schneiderman's resignation from the position on May 8, 2018.
She declined to seek the office in the 2018 New York state elections, and resumed the position of Solicitor General after Letitia James was sworn in to succeed her on January 1, 2019.
Underwood left academia to work in the Kings County District Attorney's Office.
"[14][15] The Attorney General's office passed to Letitia James following her victory in the 2018 New York state elections.
"[16] Underwood left the office having made history as the first woman to serve as Attorney General of New York.
[19] In 2012, the American Inns of Court presented her with its Professionalism Award for the Second Circuit, honoring her mentorship of attorneys throughout her career.
She was married to Martin Halpern, a former Brandeis University professor of playwriting and dramatic literature, who died on September 10, 2023.