Rob Bonta

Rob Bonta was born in Quezon City, Philippines, and moved to California with his family in 1971, initially settling at the United Farm Workers headquarters near Keene. His early life was marked by academic achievement, graduating as class valedictorian from Bella Vista High School and later earning a B.A. in history from Yale University. Bonta's legal career began after he graduated from Yale Law School in 1998, and he has since become a prominent political figure, serving as the first Filipino American attorney general of California since 2021.

BACKGROUND AND FORMATION Bonta's journey began in the Philippines, but his formative years unfolded in California. After his family moved from the United Farm Workers headquarters, he excelled academically, culminating in his graduation from Yale University in 1993. His educational path included a year at the University of Oxford and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1998.

THE PATH TO OFFICE Bonta's legal career took root in San Francisco, where he worked as a litigation associate at Keker & Van Nest and later as a Deputy City Attorney. His political career began with his election to the Alameda City Council in 2010, where he served until 2012. That same year, he was elected to represent the **18th district in the California State Assembly**, a position he held through multiple reelections until 2021.

THE CAREER In the State Assembly, Bonta authored significant legislation, including measures on healthcare, housing, and civil rights. His work in criminal justice reform included co-authoring Senate Bill 10, which eliminated money bail in California. In 2021, Bonta was appointed as California's Attorney General, and he was elected to a full term in 2022. His tenure has been marked by high-profile investigations and legal actions, including antitrust lawsuits against major tech companies.

THE POLICY SIGNATURE Rob Bonta is most known for his work in **criminal justice reform** and his commitment to civil rights. His legislative efforts have focused on healthcare, housing, and ending for-profit prisons. As Attorney General, Bonta has pursued investigations into tech giants and addressed issues like data privacy and housing law enforcement.