Robert Andres Bonta is a Filipino-American lawyer and politician serving as California's Attorney General since 2021. A Democrat, he represented the 18th district in the California State Assembly (2012-2021) and served on the Alameda City Council (2010-2012). His career reflects a steady rise through California politics. Born in the Philippines, Bonta's political journey began at the local level and progressed to state assemblyman before culminating in his appointment as the state's top legal officer.
September 22, 1972: Birth of Rob Bonta
Rob Bonta was born on September 22, 1972, in the Philippines.
1993: Graduation from Yale University
Rob Bonta graduated cum laude with a B.A. in history from Yale University in 1993.
1995: Enrollment at Yale Law School
Rob Bonta enrolled at Yale Law School in 1995.
1998: Clerkship for Judge Alvin W. Thompson
From 1998 to 1999, Rob Bonta clerked for Judge Alvin W. Thompson of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.
1998: Graduation from Yale Law School
Rob Bonta graduated with a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1998.
1999: Litigation Associate at Keker & Van Nest
Rob Bonta started working as a litigation associate at the San Francisco law firm Keker & Van Nest in 1999.
1999: Admitted to the California State Bar
Rob Bonta was admitted to the California State Bar in 1999.
2003: End of Work at Keker & Van Nest
In 2003, Rob Bonta finished his work at Keker & Van Nest.
2003: Deputy City Attorney of San Francisco
Rob Bonta became a Deputy City Attorney of San Francisco in 2003.
May 2008: Settlement in Medora Lawsuit
In May 2008, the city of San Francisco settled a lawsuit filed by Kelly Medora for $235,000. Bonta represented the city in this case involving a jaywalking arrest and the use of excessive force by a police officer.
2009: Defense of San Francisco's Strip Search Policy
In 2009, Rob Bonta argued on behalf of San Francisco, defending its strip search policy in jails.
2009: Oscar Grant Killing
The killing of Oscar Grant by a BART Police officer occurred in 2009. This event was later reviewed by Rob Bonta in 2021.
February 2010: Ninth Circuit Ruling on Strip Search Policy
In February 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of San Francisco's strip search policy, which Bonta defended.
November 2010: Elected to Alameda City Council
Rob Bonta was elected to the Alameda City Council in November 2010.
December 21, 2010: Sworn in to Alameda City Council and Appointed Vice Mayor
Rob Bonta was sworn in to the Alameda City Council and appointed vice mayor on December 21, 2010.
2010: Election to the Alameda City Council
In 2010, Rob Bonta was elected to the Alameda City Council.
November 2012: Elected to the State Assembly
Rob Bonta was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2012.
November 20, 2012: Final Alameda City Council Meeting
November 20, 2012, marked Rob Bonta's final meeting as a member of the Alameda City Council.
2012: Election to the California State Assembly
Rob Bonta was elected to the California State Assembly in 2012.
2012: First Election to State Assembly
Rob Bonta was first elected to the California State Assembly in 2012.
2012: End of Tenure as Deputy City Attorney
Rob Bonta's tenure as Deputy City Attorney of San Francisco ended in 2012.
January 2013: Introduction of Legislation on Filipino American History
In January 2013, Rob Bonta introduced legislation to require California public schools to teach students about the role of immigrants, including Filipino Americans, in the farm labor movement.
2014: Re-election to State Assembly
Rob Bonta was re-elected to the California State Assembly in 2014.
September 2016: Balance Billing Law Signed
In September 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill authored by Rob Bonta outlawing balance billing by hospitals.
2016: Re-election to State Assembly
Rob Bonta was re-elected to the California State Assembly in 2016.
August 28, 2018: Elimination of Cash Bail in California
On August 28, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 10, co-authored by Rob Bonta, eliminating cash bail in California.
2018: Re-election to State Assembly
Rob Bonta was re-elected to the California State Assembly in 2018.
October 2019: Just Cause Eviction and Rent Cap Bill Signed
In October 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1482, which included Bonta's just cause eviction proposal and a statewide rent cap.
2019: Introduction of AB 1506
Assembly Bill 1506, co-authored by Rob Bonta, was introduced in 2019 to mandate independent review of officers involved in shootings.
2019: Ban on For-Profit Prisons
In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 32, authored by Rob Bonta, banning for-profit prisons and detention facilities in California.
July 2020: Legislation Criminalizing False Police Calls
Following the murder of George Floyd and a July 2020 incident in Central Park, Rob Bonta introduced legislation to criminalize false police calls based on race, religion, or gender.
September 2020: Independent Review of Officer-Involved Shootings
In September 2020, Governor Newsom signed AB 1506, co-authored by Bonta, mandating independent reviews of officer-involved shootings.
2020: Independent Review of Sean Monterrosa Shooting
In 2020, shortly after taking office, Rob Bonta initiated an independent review into the police shooting of Sean Monterrosa in Vallejo, Solano County.
2020: Re-election to State Assembly
Rob Bonta was re-elected to the California State Assembly in 2020.
February 2021: Report on Behested Payments
In February 2021, CalMatters reported that Rob Bonta had regularly solicited donations, known as "behested payments," for his wife's nonprofit.
March 24, 2021: Announcement of Appointment as Attorney General
On March 24, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Rob Bonta's appointment as Attorney General of California.
April 23, 2021: Sworn in as Attorney General
Rob Bonta was sworn in as Attorney General of California on April 23, 2021, making him the first Filipino-American to hold the office.
August 2021: Independent Review of Oscar Grant Killing
In August 2021, Rob Bonta announced an independent review of the 2009 killing of Oscar Grant by a BART Police officer.
2021: Mia Bonta Elected to State Assembly
Mia Bonta, Rob Bonta's wife, won a special election in 2021 to fill her husband's vacant seat in the California State Assembly.
2021: Appointment as Attorney General of California
In 2021, Rob Bonta was appointed Attorney General of California.
2021: Enforcement of the California HOME Act (SB9)
Following its passage in 2021, Rob Bonta, as California Attorney General, became responsible for enforcing the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act, also known as SB9, aimed at addressing the state's housing shortage.
June 2022: Firearms Data Dashboard Launch and Subsequent Removal
Rob Bonta launched an online firearms data dashboard in June 2022 to enhance transparency, but it was taken down the next day due to a vulnerability that exposed concealed-carry permit holders' information. Bonta condemned the incident and launched an investigation.
June 2022: Re-election as Attorney General
Rob Bonta secured re-election as attorney general in June 2022, winning the primary with an absolute majority and defeating Republican challenger Nathan Hochman in the general election.
September 2022: Antitrust Lawsuit Against Amazon
Rob Bonta filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon in September 2022, alleging the company unlawfully suppressed price competition.
2022: Intervention in Woodside's SB9 Exception Claim
In 2022, Rob Bonta intervened after the city of Woodside attempted to claim an exception under SB9 based on being a cougar habitat. Bonta clarified that SB9 does not allow entire cities to be exempt and that exceptions require a parcel-specific review, leading Woodside to abandon its claim.
2022: Concern over American Data Privacy and Protection Act
In 2022, Rob Bonta voiced concerns about the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, believing it could potentially override the California Privacy Rights Act and hinder state officials' ability to enforce data privacy regulations.
2022: Elected to a Full Term as Attorney General
In 2022, Rob Bonta was elected to a full four-year term as Attorney General of California.
March 2023: Amazon's Dismissal Request Rejected
In March 2023, a judge rejected Amazon's attempt to dismiss the antitrust lawsuit filed by Rob Bonta.
May 4, 2023: Joint Investigation into NFL Employment Practices
On May 4, 2023, Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a joint investigation into the National Football League's employment practices in New York City and Los Angeles, following a New York Times report on alleged harassment and discrimination.
2024: Declines to Run for Senate
Following Senator Dianne Feinstein's retirement announcement, Rob Bonta was considered a potential Senate candidate for the 2024 election. However, he chose not to run and instead endorsed Representatives Barbara Lee and Katie Porter.