Solicitor General of Texas

The Solicitor General of Texas is the top appellate solicitor or lawyer for the U.S. state of Texas. It is an appointed position in the Office of the Texas Attorney General that focuses on the office's major appellate cases. The majority of the cases handled by the solicitor are argued in the United States Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of Texas. However some cases within the solicitor's responsibilities are under the jurisdiction of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the state appellate courts.[1] The solicitor represents the Attorney General of Texas before the Supreme Court of Texas and other appellate courts, as needed. The Office of the Solicitor General writes most of the amicus briefs filed by the Texas attorney general's office.

Solicitor General of Texas
Incumbent
Aaron Nielson
since November 13, 2023
StyleThe Honorable
AppointerAttorney General of Texas
Term lengthNo fixed term
Formation1999
First holderGreg Coleman
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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The position was created in January 1999[1] by Texas Attorney General John Cornyn and was first filled by Greg Coleman. It is a similar position to solicitors in many states and is modeled after the Solicitor General of the United States.[1] The office has one principal deputy, two deputies, and other assistant solicitors general.

Notable alumni of the Office of the Solicitor General

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List of solicitors general

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The following is a table of solicitors general of Texas.[2]

Parties

  Republican (9)   Democratic (0)   No party (0)

No. Portrait Name Took office Left office Attorney General
1 Greg Coleman 1999 2001 John Cornyn
2 Julie Parsley 2001 2002
3   Ted Cruz January 9, 2003 May 12, 2008 Greg Abbott
4   James C. Ho May 2008 December 9, 2010
5 Jonathan F. Mitchell December 10, 2010 January 5, 2015
6 Scott A. Keller January 2015 September 10, 2018 Ken Paxton
7 Kyle D. Hawkins September 10, 2018 February 1, 2021
8 Judd Stone February 1, 2021 October 2023
9 Aaron L. Nielson November 13, 2023 Present

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Office of Solicitor General". The Attorney General of Texas. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  2. ^ "Ted Cruz longest-serving solicitor general of Texas, Jerry Falwell said".
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