Attorney General Jeff Jackson Emphasizes Service, Optimism, and the Power of Institutions

“Every day, I see public servants doing something great on your behalf,” said North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “They’re exceptionally capable people, and their track record is exceptionally good.”

Jackson shared a message of integrity, optimism, and service during his visit to Duke University for the Terry Sanford Distinguished Lecture, Sanford’s longest-running public series. Endowed by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, the lectures honor the legacy of Governor, U.S. Senator, and Duke President Terry Sanford by bringing national leaders to campus to promote engaged and enlightened leadership.

Before his lecture and conversation with Tony & Teddie Brown Associate Professor Mallory SoRelle, Jackson met with a group of Sanford students representing both undergraduate and graduate programs. The students asked questions about his approach to issues such as technology regulation, energy policy, and the balance between law and politics.

Reflecting on his own early career, Jackson encouraged students to follow their sense of purpose. “You should do the job that you think is cool,” he said. “Find the work that excites you enough that you want to get good at it.”

He described his first role as a prosecutor as “the emergency room of the legal world,” explaining how its pace and human impact drew him into public service. “That job taught me what it means to serve,” he said. “Every role since then has been a continuation of that.”

A focus on people and purpose

Jackson began his public lecture by recalling how deeply he admired Terry Sanford’s legacy of courageous leadership. He even brought a well-worn copy of The Addresses and Papers of Governor Terry Sanford, which has traveled with him through his years in the state legislature, Congress, and now as Attorney General.

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In the first months of his tenure, Jackson said, he focused on learning from the people who make up the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ). The agency employs about 1,000 people and handles more than 10,000 active cases at any time.

“I wanted to meet every single employee,” he said. “These are people who have dedicated their entire careers to serving the public, and they deserve to know that their work is seen and appreciated.”

That emphasis on listening and gratitude, Jackson explained, shaped his leadership approach. “You can’t just come in and start giving orders,” he said. “You have to earn trust. You have to show people who you are.”

Understanding the limits—and potential—of leadership

As he met with NCDOJ’s 39 divisions, Jackson said he learned not only about his team but also about the boundaries of his authority and where collaboration is essential.

“To be most effective, I need partners,” he said. “Police chiefs, sheriffs, legislators, and attorneys general in other states all have roles that extend what our office can do. Building those relationships helps us protect more people.”

He described the NC Department of Justice as a “standing army” capable of both defense and offense. “We play defense when the state is sued,” he said. “But we can also play offense by launching initiatives that make life better for North Carolinians.”

Six missions of the Attorney General’s office

Jackson organized the heart of his talk around what he called five missions—“and then one more, because I feel strongly about it,” he added with a smile.

1. Combating the opioid crisis.
North Carolina continues to lose an average of six people a day to opioid overdoses, Jackson said. He outlined the state’s recovery programs funded through settlements with pharmaceutical companies and described efforts to disrupt international money laundering networks that sustain the illegal drug trade.

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2. Fighting illegal robocalls.
North Carolina ranks among the top states targeted by robocall scams, especially those aimed at retirees. Jackson praised the NCDOJ team leading this effort: “We are the national leader in shutting down robocall operations, largely thanks to one woman named Tracy who has made it her mission,” he said, drawing applause.

3. Addressing housing collusion.
Jackson detailed a lawsuit against the software company RealPage and several large landlords accused of using algorithms to inflate rents. “If landlords met in a back room and agreed to raise prices, that would clearly be illegal,” he said. “Doing it through software doesn’t make it right.”

4. Prosecuting corruption.
He described a case in Johnston County where a local official was convicted of extortion after years of abuse of power. “It’s an example of how the Department of Justice can step in, partner with local prosecutors, and restore trust,” he said.

5. Protecting food security.
Jackson recounted the recent lawsuit that compelled the federal government to continue issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments during the shutdown. The case, he said, safeguarded food for 1.4 million North Carolinians. “That’s 600,000 kids and 40,000 babies,” he said. “As far as public impact, it doesn’t get bigger than that.”

6. Shutting down fraudulent charities.
Jackson’s sixth “bonus mission” involved an organization falsely claiming to raise funds for breast cancer screenings. His team closed the operation and returned funds to donors. “This one still makes me angry,” he said. “Public trust is precious. We have to protect it.”

Leadership grounded in trust

Throughout the lecture, Jackson emphasized that the Attorney General’s office is a nonpartisan institution. “This has to be about defending people, not defending a party,” he said. “The law is the law, and we follow it.”

He spoke about the symbolic importance of his position at a time when confidence in government has eroded. “I lead an institution in a moment when faith in institutions has never been lower,” he said. “That makes our work even more important. Every day, we show why the rule of law matters.”

Communicating with authenticity

In conversation with SoRelle, Jackson discussed how he uses social media to explain complex issues to the public. His videos, which have reached millions, reflect his belief in clear, thoughtful communication.

“I don’t post unless I would want to watch it,” he said. “You teach people either to ignore you or to pay attention to you, depending on whether you respect their time.”

That approach, he said, takes patience. “It takes me hours to write a two-minute script. But if you meet a high standard and keep your message honest, people will listen.”

A message for the next generation

SoRelle closed the event by asking Jackson what advice he would give to students who want to serve in government or public policy.

“You’re already doing it,” he said. “You showed up. You’re asking questions. That puts you in the top group of people who are engaged.”

He also urged students to build healthy habits around civic engagement and information. “Get a digital subscription to a newspaper,” he said. “Don’t get your news from your algorithm. Outrage isn’t the same thing as being informed.”

Above all, Jackson encouraged students to stay hopeful. “There are people dedicating their professional lives to your defense and the defense of your family,” he said. “Their motivation is pure. They do it because they care.”

His final words returned to the theme of mission-driven work: “When you get the chance to work with people who are also motivated by purpose, it’s the best feeling in the world. I wish that for all of you.”