Janet Reno
Born 1938 · Age 87
American lawyer and public official; first female U.S. Attorney General (1993–2001); longtime Miami-Dade State Attorney (1978–1993); noted for drug court innovation, high-profile federal prosecutions, and criminal-justice reform advocacy.
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Life & Career Timeline
Family moved to rural South Miami lot
The Reno family moved to a then-rural South Miami house with land for farm animals; family lived there and later sold portions of the lot to pay for education.
Moved into house built by her mother
Janet moved into the home her mother built near the Everglades at age 8; Reno later cited the house as lifelong inspiration.
Spent a year in Germany with uncle (education/travel)
After middle school, Reno stayed with an uncle who served as a U.S. military judge in Regensburg, Germany; she continued schooling and traveled in Europe.
Enrolled at Cornell University
Reno enrolled at Cornell University; majored in chemistry and became president of the Women's Self-Government Association; earned room and board.
Graduated from Cornell University (A.B.)
Reno completed her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Cornell University.
Entered Harvard Law School (one of 16 women)
Reno enrolled at Harvard Law School as one of roughly 16 women in a class of ~500.
Graduated Harvard Law School (LL.B.)
Reno received her LL.B. from Harvard Law School in 1963.
Began private legal practice (associate at Brigham & Brigham)
Reno worked as an associate at Brigham & Brigham (1963–1967) after graduating from Harvard Law.
Became partner at Lewis & Reno
Reno became a partner at the Miami firm Lewis & Reno, where she worked until 1971.
Staff director, Judiciary Committee, Florida House
Reno joined the Florida House Judiciary Committee staff as staff director in 1971 — her first significant government role.
Unsuccessful run for Florida state house
Reno ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Florida's state house.
Consultant to Florida Senate Criminal Justice Committee
Reno worked on revising Florida's criminal procedure rules as a consultant to the Florida State Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
Joined Dade County State Attorney's Office (administrative assistant)
Reno accepted a position in the Dade County (Miami) State Attorney's Office under Richard Gerstein; she soon became his chief assistant.
Returned to private practice as partner at Steel, Hector & Davis
Reno left the state attorney's office in 1976 to become a partner at the Miami law firm Steel, Hector & Davis.
Appointed State Attorney for Dade County
Governor Reubin Askew appointed Reno State Attorney for Dade County (Miami-Dade), making her the first woman in Florida to serve as a state attorney.
Elected State Attorney (first election)
Reno won election to the Office of State Attorney in November 1978; she would be reelected four more times (five terms total).
Established drug court in Miami-Dade County (as State Attorney)
Reno pioneered a drug court model in Miami-Dade County that was later replicated nationwide to divert non-violent drug offenders into treatment.
Developed reputation for ethical behavior
As state attorney, Reno built a reputation for ethics (anecdote: bought a car at sticker price to avoid appearance of impropriety).
Prosecuted McDuffie policemen; ensuing Miami riots
Reno prosecuted five white policemen in the Arthur McDuffie case; after acquittals, the 1980 Miami riots erupted (18 killed).
Received Herbert Harley Award (American Judicature Society)
Reno was awarded the Herbert Harley Award by the American Judicature Society.
Named Public Administrator of the Year (ASPA, South Florida)
Reno received the Public Administrator of the Year award from the American Society for Public Administration, South Florida Chapter.
President, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association
Reno served as president of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association (1984–1985).
Reelected State Attorney (defeated Jose Garcia-Pedrosa)
Reno won reelection decisively despite a strong Hispanic challenge and Herald endorsement for her opponent.
Frank Fuster conviction (Country Walk case)
Reno's office prosecuted Frank Fuster; in 1984 he was found guilty on multiple counts related to child abuse and given a lengthy sentence.
Member, ABA Special Committee on Criminal Justice in a Free Society
Reno was a member of the American Bar Association Special Committee on Criminal Justice in a Free Society (1986–1988).
Bobby Fijnje charged in high-profile child-abuse prosecutions
Reno pressed adult charges against 13‑year‑old Bobby Fijnje in a widely criticized prosecution based on interviews later disputed; Fijnje was ultimately acquitted after lengthy proceedings.
Received Medal of Honor Award (Florida Bar Association)
Reno received the Florida Bar Association's Medal of Honor Award in recognition of her public-service contributions.
Mother's death; inherited childhood home
Reno's mother died in December 1992; Reno inherited the childhood home she had grown up in.
Named one of Glamour magazine's Women of the Year
Glamour magazine named Reno one of its 'Women of the Year' in 1993, recognizing her high-profile appointment as AG.
Oversaw DOJ workforce and budget as Attorney General
As AG, Reno oversaw the Department of Justice and its approximately 95,000 employees during her tenure.
Nominated as U.S. Attorney General by President Clinton
President-elect Bill Clinton introduced Reno as his nominee for U.S. Attorney General on February 11, 1993; he sought a woman for the post.
Confirmed by U.S. Senate as Attorney General (98–0)
The Senate confirmed Reno on March 11, 1993 by a 98–0 vote.
Sworn in as 78th U.S. Attorney General (first woman)
Reno was sworn in on March 12, 1993, becoming the first female U.S. Attorney General and overseeing the Department of Justice.
Waco siege ends; 76 deaths (Branch Davidian compound)
The 51‑day Waco standoff ended April 19, 1993 with fire and the deaths of dozens; Reno testified she authorized the FBI assault and later accepted responsibility.
Appointed special counsel Robert Fiske for Whitewater
Reno appointed Robert Fiske as special counsel to investigate President Clinton's Whitewater matters; Fiske concluded his criminal investigation within six months.
Commissioned DOJ report on DNA exoneration
After reading about a DNA exoneration, Reno tasked the DOJ to compile a report on how DNA could clear wrongful convictions and changed policies accordingly.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
Reno was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1995 but remained active in office.
Oklahoma City bombing prosecutions (McVeigh, Nichols)
During Reno's tenure the DOJ prosecuted Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols for the Oklahoma City bombing; prosecutions and convictions occurred in the mid‑ to late‑1990s.
Torchbearer Award, Women’s Bar Association for Washington, D.C.
Reno received the Torchbearer Award from the Washington, D.C. Women's Bar Association (listed among her distinctions).
Montana Freemen standoff resolved
An 81-day (reported as 61-day in some accounts) armed standoff with the Montana Freemen ended without loss of life; members were prosecuted with convictions during Reno's term.
Unabomber (Ted Kaczynski) captured and prosecuted
The capture and prosecution of Ted Kaczynski (the 'Unabomber') occurred during Reno's tenure (Kaczynski arrested in April 1996).
Leak and apology regarding Richard Jewell
A DOJ leak led to false public suspicion of Richard Jewell in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park bombing; Reno publicly apologized for the leak in 1997.
Supreme Court decision: Reno v. ACLU (Communications Decency Act)
The DOJ's defense of the Communications Decency Act culminated in the Supreme Court decision Reno v. ACLU (1997), which struck down major portions of the act.
Living Legacy Award, Women’s International Center
Reno received the Living Legacy Award from the Women's International Center (1997).
DOJ filed antitrust suit against Microsoft
During Reno's tenure the Justice Department brought antitrust actions against Microsoft alleging illegal bundling of the browser with Windows (DOJ suit filed May 1998).
House committee recommended contempt for refusing documents (party-line vote)
In 1998 the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee voted along party lines to recommend citing Reno for contempt for not turning over internal DOJ memos; documents were later provided, and full House never voted.
Elián González discovered; international custody dispute begins
Six‑year‑old Elián González was found off Florida in 1999, triggering an international custody dispute that would culminate in a federal seizure in 2000 ordered by Reno.
Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame
Reno was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2000.
Ordered raid to seize Elián González (return to Cuba)
In April 2000 Reno ordered federal agents to seize six‑year‑old Elián González from relatives in Miami and return him to his father in Cuba, a controversial decision that drew national attention.
Appeared on Saturday Night Live (final 'Janet Reno's Dance Party' sketch)
Reno appeared alongside Will Ferrell on SNL in 2001 in the final installment of the recurring 'Janet Reno's Dance Party' sketch.
Left office as U.S. Attorney General
Reno left the Attorney General position on January 20, 2001 at the end of the Clinton administration; she had served 1993–2001 and was the longest-serving AG of the 20th century.
Ran for Governor of Florida (Democratic primary)
Reno ran for governor in 2002 but lost the Democratic primary to Bill McBride (vote roughly 44% to 44.4%); she conceded about a week later.
Spoke at Harvard Law School Celebration 50
Reno returned to Harvard Law School to speak at Celebration 50 marking 50 years since the first graduating class of women at HLS.
Founding board member, Innocence Project
Reno was a founding member of the board of directors for the Innocence Project, assisting prisoners seeking exoneration through DNA testing.
Testified before the 9/11 Commission
Reno provided testimony to the federal 9/11 Commission in 2004 regarding law-enforcement and counterterrorism matters.
Spoke at University of Pennsylvania criminology conference
Reno spoke about criminal-justice issues and prevention at a Penn criminology conference on March 31, 2006.
Curated Song of America compilation
Reno curated Song of America, a compilation of old-time American songs performed by contemporary artists, produced with Ed Pettersen.
Appeared in Super Bowl XLI TV commercial cameo
Reno appeared among guests in Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson's Super Bowl XLI party TV commercial.
Council on Litigation Management: Professionalism Award
Reno received the Council on Litigation Management's Professionalism Award recognizing leadership by example.
Received Justice Award from American Judicature Society
Reno was awarded the AJS Justice Award (the society's highest honor) on April 17, 2009; Eric Holder presented the award.
Director emeritus, Innocence Project; voiced herself on The Simpsons
By 2013 Reno was director emeritus of the Innocence Project board and voiced herself in a 2013 episode of The Simpsons.
Died of complications from Parkinson's disease
Janet Reno died on November 7, 2016 in Miami, Florida at age 78; recognized publicly by Presidents Obama and Clinton.
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