NAAG provides a growing library of on-demand resources*, including courses, podcasts, and more, designed to deliver practical, high-quality training for the attorney general community.
Our on-demand courses include recordings of prior programs as well as purpose-built learning experiences covering a wide range of topics relevant to attorney general community and beyond. On-demand courses are available to both members and non-members, with certain offerings eligible for continuing legal education (CLE)** credit depending on the course and jurisdiction.
Questions? Please email support@naag.org.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the legal doctrine of parens patriae, which empowers state attorneys general to act on behalf of their citizens. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical origins of this doctrine, its applications in both common law and statutory frameworks, and its relevance in contemporary litigation, particularly in antitrust cases. The course will cover key case law examples, illustrating how parens patriae standing has been established and challenged in various contexts. Attendees will also learn the critical distinctions between seeking injunctive relief and damages under this doctrine, as well as the essential pleading requirements necessary for successful claims. This course is designed for legal professionals working in state attorney general offices, particularly those involved in antitrust law and public interest litigation.
- Understand the concept of parens patriae and its historical development.
- Identify the applications of parens patriae in both common law and statutory contexts.
- Analyze case law to determine the standing of state attorneys general under parens patriae.
- Differentiate between the use of parens patriae for injunctive relief versus damages.
- Recognize the importance of pleading requirements in establishing parens patriae standing.
* Some of our resrouces, including on-demand courses, require you to log in or create an account to register and/or access the content.. If you do not already have an account, you will be prompted to create one.
** Before registering for any CLE-eligible course, participants should verify that their jurisdiction permits on-demand and/or self-study CLE, as requirements vary by state and territory.

