Rachel Silberstein is reporting for the Times Union New York Solicitor General, Barbara D. Underwood, was appointed to serve as attorney general during a joint legislative hearing May 22. Underwood has been been serving as acting attorney general since the abrupt resignation of Eric Schneiderman two weeks ago. She is the first woman to serve as attorney general and will hold the position through the end of the year. Members of the Senate and Assembly approved Underwood's appointment in a near-unanimous vote, with several lawmakers taking time to publicly praise her record. "I've served in many roles in government throughout my career. But I believe this job — at this moment in history – is the most important job I have ever had," Underwood told reporters after her confirmation. A bicameral, bipartisan vetting committee interviewed 12 candidates last week, but legislative leaders overwhelmingly supported keeping Underwood in the position through December 31. Read the full story in the Times Union.