Solicitor General of Texas

Top appellate lawyer for the US state of Texas

Solicitor General of Texas

Incumbent
Aaron Nielson
since November 13, 2023

Style| The Honorable
Appointer| Attorney General of Texas
Term length| No fixed term
Formation| 1999
First holder| Greg Coleman
Website| Official website

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.

## 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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* J. Campbell Barker, Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, 2019–present
* Jimmy Blacklock, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, 2018–present
* Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator from Texas, 2013–present
* S. Kyle Duncan, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2018–present
* James C. Ho, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2018–present
* Sean D. Jordan, Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, 2019–present
* Jonathan F. Mitchell, Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States (Nominee)
* Andy Oldham, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2018–present
* Lawrence VanDyke, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2020–present, Solicitor General of Nevada (2015–2019), Solicitor General of Montana (2013–2014)

## 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".

## External links

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* Office of the Attorney General of Texas

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Solicitors General of Texas

* Greg Coleman (1999–2001)
* Julie Parsley (2001–02)
* Ted Cruz (2003–2008)
* James C. Ho (2008–2010)
* Jonathan F. Mitchell (2010–2015)
* Scott A. Keller (2015–2018)
* Kyle D. Hawkins (2018–2021)
* Judd Stone (2021–2023)
* Aaron Nielson (2023–Present)

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