Does the US have a solicitor general?

Asked by: Stewart Glover  |  Last update: August 3, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (21 votes)

The solicitor general of the United States (USSG or SG), is the fourth-highest-ranking official within the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), represents the federal government in cases before the Supreme Court of the United States.

What does U.S. solicitor general do?

Responsibilities of the Solicitor General

The Solicitor General conducts the oral arguments before the Supreme Court. Those cases not argued by the Solicitor General personally are assigned either to an Assistant to the Solicitor General or to another government attorney.

What is the equivalent of a solicitor in America?

According to their areas of expertise, solicitors or attorneys in the US can also be called “corporate” or “transactional,” such as real estate attorneys, insurance attorneys, family law practitioners, or mergers and acquisition experts.

Who is the highest lawyer in the federal government?

United States Attorney General. The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice and serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government. The Attorney General acts as the principal legal advisor to the President of the United States on all legal matters.

How powerful is the solicitor general?

The United States is involved in approximately two-thirds of all the cases the U.S. Supreme Court decides on the merits each year. The Solicitor General determines the cases in which Supreme Court review will be sought by the government and the positions the government will take before the Court.

The Attorney General

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What is the most powerful lawyer position?

Some of the most powerful lawyer positions include:
  • Attorney General. The Attorney General is the highest-ranking legal officer in the United States Department of Justice. ...
  • Solicitor General. ...
  • Corporate Counsel. ...
  • Big Law Partner. ...
  • Judges. ...
  • Public Interest Lawyers. ...
  • Criminal Defense Attorneys. ...
  • Law Firm Managing Partner.

Who is above the U.S. Attorney General?

The department is headed by the U.S. attorney general, who reports directly to the president of the United States and is a member of the president's Cabinet.

What is the salary of a Solicitor General in the United States?

The average solicitor general gross salary in United States is $192,247 or an equivalent hourly rate of $92.

What do Brits call a lawyer?

barrister, one of the two types of practicing lawyers in England and Wales, the other being the solicitor. In general, barristers engage in advocacy (trial work) and solicitors in office work, but there is a considerable overlap in their functions.

Do lawyers earn more in the UK or the US?

At a glance. Trainees in London earn more than those working outside the capital. You'll earn less in smaller firms but will likely rise up the ladder quicker. USA based firms pay the highest trainee and newly-qualified salaries, followed by Magic Circle then City firms.

Why doesn't America have barristers?

The United States does not distinguish between lawyers as barristers and solicitors. Any American lawyer who has passed a bar examination and has been admitted to practice law in a particular U.S. jurisdiction may prosecute or defend.

What is the rule of four?

The “rule of four” is the Supreme Court's practice of granting a petition for review only if there are at least four votes to do so. The rule is an unwritten internal one; it is not dictated by any law or the Constitution.

Do states have solicitor generals?

It turns out that most states have their own solicitors general, but unlike their counterparts in Washington, DC, state SGs frequently appear at all levels of the judiciary, both state and federal. Who are these SGs? What do they do? And do we really have to address them as general?

What is a call for the views of the Solicitor General?

The Court can issue a call for the views of the Solicitor General (“CVSG”) when it is deciding whether to grant certiorari in a case and thinks the view of the federal government might be relevant or useful – even though the United States is not a party.

Is Solicitor General higher than attorney general?

The Solicitor General is of course an Executive Branch officer, reporting to the Attorney General, and ultimately to the President, in whom our Constitution vests all of the Executive power of the United States.

What are two responsibilities that the Solicitor General has?

The Solicitor General is expected to argue some important matters personally, but may also assign any argument to any other Department attorney. The Solicitor General also oversees the development of appropriate forms, templates, styles, training materials, and other resources for appellate litigation.

Does the president appoint the Solicitor General?

Solicitor General. The President shall appoint in the Department of Justice, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Solicitor General, learned in the law, to assist the Attorney General in the performance of his duties.

Who is higher than FBI?

Within the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI is responsible to the attorney general, and it reports its findings to U.S. Attorneys across the country. The FBI's intelligence activities are overseen by the Director of National Intelligence.

Who is more powerful US attorney or Attorney General?

United States Attorneys serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General of the United States of America.

Who investigates corrupt FBI agents?

The Public Integrity Section (PIN) oversees the investigation and prosecution of all federal crimes affecting government integrity, including bribery of public officials, election crimes, and other related offenses.

Who is the highest paid lawyer in America?

Peter Angelos | $2 Billion

The wealthiest lawyer in North America, Peter Angelos earned his J.D. from the University of Baltimore and gained prominence in asbestos litigation, securing over $100 million from a single case.

What is the highest paying job in the world?

Topping the list, being a CEO gets you the highest paying job in the world, no matter where you work. A CEO is the highest-ranked position in any organisation's structure. Irrespective of the company's size, a CEO handles all its day-to-day corporate affairs, manages resources and handles all managerial processes.

What type of lawyer does not go to court?

Several types of lawyers primarily work outside of the courtroom, such as corporate lawyers, transactional lawyers, and legal consultants. These roles involve tasks such as contract drafting, negotiations, and legal research, which may be better suited for individuals with anxiety about appearing in court.