Assistant Attorney General McGuigan Named as New Legal Director for the Conference of Western Attorneys General 

PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Larry Long announced today that Assistant Attorney General Charles McGuigan will assume a new position as Legal Director of the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG) on November 1, 2006. McGuigan was hired during the CWAG Annual Meeting this past August. CWAG is an association of the Attorneys General of 18 member states in the Western United State and 10 associate member states.

As Legal Director, McGuigan will be responsible for serving as the daily source for up-to-the minute legal information on key issues in the West, including: oil and natural gas; western energy supplies; state preparedness from natural disasters such as forest fires, tsunamis and floods; potential state liability issues arising from Avian Influenza; improving law through multidisciplinary task forces, Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act issues; state legislative initiatives involving methamphetamine in the West; Identity theft and many other topics. 

"This position is a great honor for Charlie and a benefit to our office and the state of South Dakota," said Long. "McGuigan’s commitment to public service and depth of knowledge will be a great asset to the CWAG organization."

McGuigan has been an Assistant Attorney General since 1991 and has worked primarily on natural resource issues, Indian Law and legislative issues.

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