Biglaw

Solicitor General’s Office Is Loading Up On Biglaw Hires

The game of musical chairs is nearing its end.

By Kathryn Rubino on August 31, 2017 10:48 am

Chris Michel, Frederick Liu and Michael Huston

It’s been a busy season at the Solicitor General’s office. The summer has been characterized as a “game of musical chairs” with attorneys moving in and out of the office. Now comes word that the office has made a trio of Biglaw hires — and not a moment too soon, they have about a month to prepare before the start of the October Supreme Court term.

Frederick Liu, partner at Hogan Lovells, Christopher Michel, associate at Kirkland & Ellis, and Michael Huston, associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher are all moving to the Solicitor General’s office in the position of assistant to the SG, and that’s not all they have in common. The three have all clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts.

As Law.com reports, high-profile positions in the SG office routinely lead to even bigger and brighter things in the future:

“Assistant to the SG is one of the best jobs an appellate lawyer can have. I don’t think that’s changed at all,” said Joseph Palmore of Morrison & Foerster, who left the SG’s office in 2014 to co-chair the firm’s Supreme Court and appellate practice. A several-year tour of duty as an assistant to the SG can often become a launching pad for a return to law firms as leaders of appellate practices.

These hires complete the staff of 16 at the assistant level. Since it’s expected to be a particularly noteworthy term, the hires are essential for the office. Now, if they could only get the head of the office confirmed… (Noel Francisco, Donald Trump’s pick for Solicitor General was formally nominated on March 7th, but has not, as of yet, gotten the official nod from Senate.)

headshotKathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).