Merrick Garland Bio, Age, Wife, Kids, Career, Attorney General Role & Net Worth

Merrick Garland Biography

Merrick Garland is an American lawyer and jurist who served as the 86th U.S. Attorney General from 2021 to 2025. He was born on November 13, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois. Garland attended Harvard University and graduated summa cum laude in 1974. He later earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1977.

After law school, Garland clerked for Judge Henry J. Friendly and Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr. He then worked at the U.S. Department of Justice and joined Arnold & Porter in 1981. Additionally, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1989 to 1992.

In 1997, President Bill Clinton appointed Garland to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He became the court’s chief judge in 2013 and served in that role until 2020. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama nominated Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016. However, the Senate did not hold a confirmation vote on his nomination.

In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Garland as U.S. Attorney General. The Senate confirmed him by a 70–30 vote, and he served until January 20, 2025. Today, Garland is a former attorney general and former chief judge of the D.C. Circuit. His career spans federal prosecution, private law, appellate judging, and Justice Department leadership.

Merrick Garland Age: How Old is Merrick Garland?

Merrick Garland is 73 years old as of September 30, 2026. He was born on November 13, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois. He previously served as the 86th U.S. Attorney General from 2021 to 2025. His long legal career also included serving as chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Merrick Garland Height: How Tall is the Former Attorney General?

Merrick Garland is reportedly 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall. Several biographical sources list this height, although the U.S. Department of Justice does not provide an official height in his biography. Garland served as U.S. attorney general from 2021 to 2025. He also previously served as a federal appeals court judge and chief judge of the D.C. Circuit.

Merrick Garland Education | Harvard Law School

Merrick Garland earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1974, graduating summa cum laude. He then attended Harvard Law School, where he earned his law degree magna cum laude in 1977. While studying law, Garland served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. After graduation, he began his legal career through federal judicial clerkships. His education at Harvard helped establish the foundation for his career in law, judging, and federal government service.

Merrick Garland Religion

Merrick Garland is Jewish and has longstanding ties to Reform Judaism. He grew up in Lincolnwood, Illinois, in a Jewish family and had his bar mitzvah at a Conservative synagogue. Later, Garland and his wife, Lynn Rosenman, became members of Temple Sinai, a Reform congregation in Washington, D.C. Garland has also spoken publicly about his Jewish family heritage. His grandparents immigrated from Eastern Europe while fleeing antisemitism. Additionally, his Jewish background influenced his understanding of family, service, and community.

Merrick Garland Family: Parents & Siblings

Merrick Garland was born to Cyril and Shirley Garland in Chicago, Illinois, in 1952. His father, Cyril Garland, founded Garland Advertising and ran the small business from their family home. His mother, Shirley Garland, directed volunteer services at Chicago’s Council for Jewish Elderly. Garland also has two younger sisters, Heidi Garland and Jill Roter. He has credited his parents and sisters with shaping his values around hard work, community service, and family support.

Merrick Garland Wife | Spouse: Lynn Garland

Merrick Garland has been married to Lynn Garland since September 19, 1987. Lynn Garland, formerly Lynn Rosenman, graduated from Harvard College in 1982. She later earned an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management in 1987. The couple met at a rehearsal dinner and married in a Jewish ceremony at the Harvard Club in New York. Together, they have two daughters, Rebecca and Jessica. The family has lived in the Washington, D.C., area for many years.

Merrick Garland Children | Kids

Merrick Garland has two daughters, Rebecca and Jessica Garland, with his wife, Lynn Garland. Garland has spoken publicly about his daughters during his career in public service. In 2016, he described their births as among the greatest gifts of his life. Rebecca Garland married Xan Tanner in 2018. Meanwhile, Jessica graduated from Yale Law School and pursued a legal career. Garland introduced both daughters during his 2021 Senate confirmation hearing for attorney general.

Career Timeline

Merrick Garland Legal Career | Lawyer, Judge and Attorney General

Merrick Garland built a legal career spanning private practice, federal prosecution, judicial service, and Justice Department leadership. He began with clerkships for Judge Henry Friendly and Supreme Court Justice William Brennan. In 1981, Garland joined Arnold & Porter, becoming a partner in 1985. He later served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., handling corruption, fraud, and drug cases. Garland then held senior Justice Department roles, including Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General. In 1997, he joined the D.C. Circuit, becoming chief judge in 2013. He later served as U.S. attorney general from 2021 to 2025.

Merrick Garland Supreme Court Nomination: Why He Was Never Confirmed

Merrick Garland was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Barack Obama on March 16, 2016. Obama selected Garland to fill the vacancy created by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death. At the time, Garland served as chief judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. His nomination reached the Senate, but the Judiciary Committee did not hold a hearing or vote. Consequently, the Senate never confirmed Garland as a Supreme Court justice. The nomination remained pending until the 114th Congress ended. In 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch for the same vacancy. Therefore, Garland never served on the Supreme Court.

Merrick Garland Attorney General Role | Nomination, Confirmation & Tenure

Merrick Garland became the 86th U.S. Attorney General on March 11, 2021, after President Joe Biden nominated him for the position. The Senate confirmed Garland following his confirmation process, allowing him to lead the U.S. Department of Justice. Before becoming attorney general, Garland served as chief judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. During his tenure, he oversaw federal law enforcement, civil rights enforcement, criminal prosecutions, and other Justice Department responsibilities. Additionally, Garland emphasized rule of law and Justice Department independence. He served as attorney general throughout Biden’s presidency and left office on January 20, 2025.

Merrick Garland Trump | DOJ Investigations and Legal Battles

Merrick Garland and Donald Trump became closely linked through major Justice Department investigations during Garland’s tenure. Garland served as attorney general from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. During that period, the Justice Department investigated Trump over efforts related to the 2020 presidential election and his handling of classified documents. Garland appointed Jack Smith as special counsel in November 2022 to oversee both investigations. Smith later brought federal charges against Trump in separate cases. Garland also defended Justice Department independence from political influence. Trump returned to the presidency on January 20, 2025, ending Garland’s tenure.

Merrick Garland Controversy | DOJ Criticism, Trump and Hunter Biden Cases

Merrick Garland faced controversy during his tenure as U.S. Attorney General, particularly over politically sensitive investigations. Republicans criticized his Justice Department over the prosecutions involving Donald Trump and questioned its handling of the Hunter Biden case. Meanwhile, some Democrats criticized Garland for taking too long to pursue Trump-related investigations. In 2024, the House held Garland in contempt over his refusal to provide audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur. Garland defended the decision, citing investigative protections and Justice Department policy.

Merrick Garland Political Party | Is Merrick Garland a Democrat?

Merrick Garland is associated with Democratic administrations, although official biographies do not identify him as a Democratic Party member. President Barack Obama nominated Garland to the Supreme Court in 2016. Later, President Joe Biden appointed him attorney general in 2021. However, Garland built his career mainly through federal legal, judicial, and Justice Department roles. He also served under both Democratic and Republican administrations during his Justice Department career. Therefore, his political affiliation requires context rather than a simple party label.

Merrick Garland Today | Where Is the Former Attorney General Now?

Merrick Garland is currently a partner at Arnold & Porter, where he returned in May 2025 after leaving the U.S. Department of Justice. He served as the 86th U.S. Attorney General from 2021 to 2025. Today, Garland works with the firm’s Appellate & Supreme Court practice in Washington, D.C. His practice includes appellate matters, complex litigation, antitrust, national security, and white-collar defense. Additionally, the firm lists him as a 2026 Recommended Lawyer for appellate work.

Merrick Garland Net Worth

Merrick Garland’s estimated net worth is around $20 million, according to a 2021 Forbes analysis. However, his exact current wealth remains undisclosed. Forbes estimated his assets at $8.6 million to $33 million based on financial disclosure records. His wealth grew through a combination of legal earnings, investments, real estate, and family trusts. Garland earned substantial income during his years at Arnold & Porter before joining the federal government. Additionally, financial records showed significant holdings in securities, cash, and real estate. His 2024 disclosure also reported major investment holdings and no liabilities.

Merrick Garland Quick Facts

• Full Name: Merrick Brian Garland
• Date of Birth: November 13, 1952
• Age: 73 years old
• Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Religion: Jewish
• Education: Harvard University; Harvard Law School
• Profession: Lawyer, Judge, Former Attorney General
• Political Party: Not publicly identified
• Wife: Lynn Garland
• Children: Two daughters
• Supreme Court Nomination: 2016
• U.S. Attorney General: 2021–2025
• Former Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
• Chief Judge: 2013–2020
• Current Role: Partner at Arnold & Porter
• Estimated Net Worth: $20 million