Avrum Gross

Avrum M. Gross (February 25, 1936 – May 8, 2018) was an American lawyer who served as the Attorney General of Alaska from 1974 through 1980.

Avrum Gross
Alaska Attorney General
In office 1974–1980
Governor	Jay Hammond
Personal details
Born	(1936-02-25)February 25, 1936 New York City
Died	May 8, 2018(2018-05-08) (aged 82) Alaska
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Amherst College University of Michigan Law School (JD)

Gross was born on February 25, 1936, in New York City. He was raised in New Jersey and attended Juilliard School for violin.[1] He graduated from Amherst College in 1957[2] and earned his J.D. degree from the University of Michigan, before moving to Alaska in 1961.[1]

Gross worked for the Alaska Legislature, where he met Jay Hammond. He worked as special counsel on fisheries for the Alaska Department of Law before going into private practice. Hammond, who was elected Governor of Alaska in 1974, appointed Gross as his attorney general, though Hammond was a Republican and Gross was a Democrat. As attorney general, Gross helped establish the Alaska Permanent Fund[1] and ended the practice of plea bargaining.[3] He served as attorney general until 1980, before returning to private practice.[1]

Gross died on May 8, 2018, from pancreatic cancer.[1] His son, Al Gross, is a candidate for the United States Senate in the 2020 election.[4]

References

1. "Avrum Gross: Gov. Hammond's 'long-haired hippie' ally, attorney general and in-house antagonist". Ktoo.org. June 6, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
2. "Avrum M. Gross '57 | 1957 | Amherst College". Amherst.edu. May 8, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
3. "Alaska Ending Plea Bargaining To Raise Confidence in Justice - The New York Times". Nytimes.com. July 12, 1975. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
4. https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Gross-announces-candidacy-for-Alaska-US-Senate-seat-512145512.html