J. Joseph Curran Jr. (born July 7, 1931) is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 44th attorney general of Maryland from 1987 to 2007.

[4] In 1986, Curran was elected attorney general after serving four years as lieutenant governor under Harry Hughes.

[4] Citing his age and his long career, Curran decided not to seek re-election in 2006, preventing any conflict of interest that might arise in having O'Malley as governor and his father-in-law as attorney general.

His youngest daughter, Katie, was a state district court judge (2001–2021) and the wife of former Governor Martin O'Malley.

His eldest daughter, Mary Carole Curran, is an accomplished photographer in Baltimore City.