When Letitia James is sworn in as the next New York attorney general as scheduled on Jan. 1, she will inherit something the last person elected to the position did not: a huge caseload aimed at a federal government that some say has encroached on the well-being of New Yorkers.

James, unlike former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, will take office during a time when Democrats are positioned to control state government but will still face obstacles from federal officials.