Resource guide

Who Is Russell Coleman? Kentucky Attorney General

Kentucky Attorney General and former United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.

Last updated October 09, 2026 623-word guide Editor Ban the Bots

Russell Coleman is the Kentucky Attorney General, who filed an unredacted version of a lawsuit against Character.AI in the United States.

At Ban the Bots, we track the people and organizations fighting AI: the activists, union leaders, lawmakers, plaintiffs, researchers and founders pushing back on how AI is built and used.

Coleman served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky from 2017 to 2021 and worked as an FBI special agent.

Where Russell Coleman Is Now

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman filed an unredacted version of a lawsuit against Character.AI in the United States, as reported by ua.news.

Current role: Kentucky Attorney General
Known for: Lawsuit against Character.AI
Recent news: Filed an unredacted version of a lawsuit against Character.AI in the United States

Career and Education

Coleman graduated from Logan County High School and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1998, according to Wikipedia. Following college graduation, Coleman moved to Washington, D.C., and interned for Senator Mitch McConnell. He worked as a staff and press assistant for the Department of Justice, and served as briefing coordinator to U.S. Attorneys General Janet Reno and John Ashcroft from 1999 to 2001. In 2004, Coleman graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Coleman served as an assistant commonwealth attorney for Kentucky's 13th Judicial Circuit, as recorded on Wikipedia. As an FBI special agent, Coleman served as back-up chief division counsel to the FBI's Indianapolis field office and became a certified hostage negotiator during his time with the FBI. In 2007, Coleman volunteered for an assignment in the Anbar province of Iraq to investigate terrorism. Coleman served as legal counsel to Senator Mitch McConnell from 2010 to 2013, legislative director from 2013 to 2014, and senior advisor and legal counsel from 2014 to 2015. In 2015, Coleman became a partner at the law firm Frost Brown Todd in their Louisville office, and served as a volunteer assistant commonwealth attorney for Kentucky's 12th Judicial Circuit in Oldham County.

U.S. Attorney Service and Working Group

On September 22, 2017, Coleman was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, serving from 2017 to 2021, according to Wikipedia. In February 2020, Coleman was appointed to the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Training Working Group of President Trump's Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. Coleman announced his resignation as U.S. Attorney on January 11, 2021, effective January 20, 2021.

Recent Events and Announcements

Coleman filed an unredacted version of a lawsuit against Character.AI in the United States, according to ua.news. On June 25, 2026, Coleman formally announced his intention to seek reelection at an event in Oldham County, as documented by Wikipedia.

Coleman and Congressman James Comer hosted a local law enforcement roundtable discussion in Somerset, reported by the Commonwealth Journal.

Policy and Legal Actions

Coleman is a member of the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, according to local reporting. Coleman joined 49 other state attorneys general in petitioning the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen regulations against illegal robocalls, as reported by the Northern Kentucky Tribune.

Coleman requested additional funding to expand Kentucky's 'Better Without It' drug prevention campaign, according to coverage by news media. Coleman signed an emergency order allowing farmers and truckers to use dyed diesel fuel on public roadways, reported by state reporting.

Sources

More people pushing back on AI are mapped in our guide to who is fighting AI, and the unions, companies and governments drawing the line are tracked on Fighting Back.

Frequently asked questions

▸ Who is Russell Coleman?

Russell Coleman is the Kentucky Attorney General who filed an unredacted version of a lawsuit against Character.AI in the United States.

▸ What legal action did Russell Coleman take against Character.AI?

Russell Coleman filed an unredacted version of a lawsuit against Character.AI in the United States.

▸ What federal government positions has Russell Coleman held?

Coleman served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky from 2017 to 2021, worked as an FBI special agent, and served as briefing coordinator to U.S. Attorneys General Janet Reno and John Ashcroft from 1999 to 2001.

▸ What positions did Russell Coleman hold with Senator Mitch McConnell?

Following college graduation, Coleman interned for Senator Mitch McConnell. He later served as legal counsel to McConnell from 2010 to 2013, legislative director from 2013 to 2014, and senior advisor and legal counsel from 2014 to 2015.

▸ What initiatives has Russell Coleman pursued regarding illegal robocalls?

Coleman is a member of the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force and joined 49 other state attorneys general in petitioning the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen regulations against illegal robocalls.

▸ What degrees did Russell Coleman earn?

Coleman graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1998, and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2004.