Elizabeth Barchas Prelogar is the 48th Solicitor General of the United States. She is the fourth-ranking person at the U.S. Department of Justice. Her job is to handle all Supreme Court cases for the government.
She also decides if the government will appeal cases to higher courts. Elizabeth Prelogar knows when to file briefs or join cases in court. Plus, she helps make big policy decisions for the Justice Department.
Early Life and Education of Elizabeth Prelogar
Elizabeth Prelogar was born on March 7, 1980, in Boise, Idaho. She was the youngest of four kids. Her parents, Jeanne Louise (née Bullock) and Rudolph Daniel “Rudy” Barchas, were both in the professions. Her dad was a lawyer, and her mom taught school. This gave Prelogar a strong start in law and learning early on.
She went to Boise High School and graduated in 1998. Then, she studied at Emory University, where she got two degrees in English and Russian. She was a Fulbright Scholar and graduated summa cum laude in 2002. After that, she got a master’s in creative writing from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She earned her M.Litt. with distinction in 2002-2003.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Born in Boise, Idaho | March 7, 1980 |
| Graduated from Boise High School | 1998 |
| Graduated summa cum laude from Emory University | 2002 |
| Received M.Litt. with distinction from University of St Andrews | 2002-2003 |
Prelogar’s early life and education set the stage for her amazing legal career. She has now become the Solicitor General of the United States.
Elizabeth Prelogar’s Legal Career
Elizabeth Barchas Prelogar has made a big mark in law with her hard work and big wins. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law in 2008. Then, she started a journey to the top of the legal world.
Clerked for Renowned Judges and Supreme Court Justices
Her first big step was clerking for Judge Merrick B. Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Then, she clerked for Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan of the Supreme Court. These jobs made her known as a top legal talent.
Worked at Renowned Law Firms
After her clerkships, Prelogar became an associate at Hogan Lovells LLP. Her skills and hard work made her a partner at Cooley LLP. There, she focused on Supreme Court and appellate litigation, growing her legal knowledge.
“Elizabeth Prelogar’s legal career has been marked by her exceptional achievements and prestigious appointments.”
Elizabeth Prelogar has always been dedicated to law. She has worked hard in appellate and Supreme Court litigation. Her experiences at top law firms and with famous judges have made her a respected leader in law.
Roles at the Department of Justice
Elizabeth Prelogar worked at the U.S. Department of Justice for many years. From 2014 to 2019, she was an assistant to the solicitor general. She got better at briefing and arguing cases before the Supreme Court. She also helped make the government’s strategy for appeals in lower courts.
Prelogar did more than work in the solicitor general’s office. She was part of Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. She was an Assistant Special Counsel there. This job made her known as a skilled and flexible lawyer.
Served as Assistant to the Solicitor General
- Briefed and argued multiple cases in the Supreme Court
- Helped formulate the government’s appellate strategy in lower courts
Assisted in Mueller’s Russia Investigation
- Served as an Assistant Special Counsel in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election
- Contributed to the probe into obstruction-of-justice issues
Elizabeth Prelogar’s work at the Department of Justice made her very skilled. She worked in the solicitor general’s office and was part of the Robert Mueller investigation. These jobs gave her the skills to represent the United States well before the Supreme Court.
Appointment as Acting Solicitor General
In January 2021, Elizabeth Prelogar was named principal deputy solicitor general by President Joe Biden. She took over as the acting solicitor general until her official nomination on August 11, 2021.
Prelogar made history as the second woman in the U.S. to hold this role. Elena Kagan was the first, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009.
As acting solicitor general, Prelogar was key in speaking for the Biden administration at the Supreme Court. She made sure the government’s side was heard in appeals.
“Elizabeth Prelogar has demonstrated exceptional legal expertise and judgment throughout her career, and I am confident she will be an outstanding Solicitor General.”
– President Joe Biden
Legal experts and advocates praised Prelogar’s appointment. They noted her deep knowledge and skills. She was then nominated as the permanent solicitor general. The Senate confirmed her with a 53-36 vote.
| President | Solicitor General Appointment Timeline |
|---|---|
| George W. Bush | Nominated Ted Olson on Feb. 14, 2001, confirmed on May 24, 2001. |
| Barack Obama | Nominated Elena Kagan on Jan. 5, 2009, confirmed on March 19, 2009. |
| Donald Trump | Noel Francisco was appointed as principal deputy solicitor general and later confirmed as solicitor general. |
| Joe Biden | Elizabeth Prelogar was named principal deputy solicitor general in January 2021 and served as acting solicitor general until her nomination was sent to the Senate on August 11, 2021. |
elizabeth prelogar Nominated as Solicitor General
On August 10, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Elizabeth Prelogar to be the solicitor general. She is a skilled lawyer with lots of government experience. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-9 to approve her nomination.
On October 28, 2021, the Senate made Elizabeth Prelogar the 48th solicitor general. She is the second woman to get this job. Elena Kagan was the first and later became a Supreme Court Justice.
There was a delay in Prelogar’s nomination because of a disagreement between the Department of Justice and the White House. California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger was offered the job but turned it down. This would have made her the first Black woman in the role. Elizabeth Prelogar was chosen by the Biden administration instead. Her confirmation made her a star in the legal world.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Times Prelogar has argued at the Supreme Court | 9 |
| Prelogar’s position as the second woman to hold the U.S. solicitor general role on a permanent basis | True |
| Prelogar’s previous role as an assistant to the solicitor general | 2014 to 2019 |
| Prelogar’s involvement in the Mueller investigation | Assistant special counsel from 2017 to 2019 |
Elizabeth Prelogar has a lot of experience and knows the law well. She is set to greatly influence her new role. She will be the top lawyer for the U.S. and will help shape the government’s legal views on important issues.
Responsibilities as U.S. Solicitor General
Elizabeth Prelogar leads the U.S. Solicitor General team. She handles all Supreme Court cases for the country. Her work shapes the government’s stance in the highest court.
Representing the United States Before the Supreme Court
Prelogar speaks for the government in the Supreme Court. She argues cases, files briefs, and guides the legal process. Her skills make sure the government’s views are clear to the Justices.
Determining Appeals and Involvement in Appellate Cases
Prelogar decides if the government should appeal or join an appeal. She looks at the case’s legal strength and wider effects. This is a big part of her job.
During her time as Solicitor General, Prelogar has tackled big cases. These include abortion rights, voting rights, and gun control. Her strong arguments and legal knowledge stand out in court.
“Prelogar is noted for her oral argument skills and strategic legal points that garner support from justices who may be skeptical of abortion rights.”
Her background as a Supreme Court clerk and private firm lawyer helps her. She knows how to handle complex legal issues. This skill helps her represent the U.S. well in the Supreme Court.
Notable Supreme Court Cases
Elizabeth Prelogar is a top lawyer in the U.S. She deals with big and tricky supreme court cases. Her skills in appellate litigation make her stand out.
One big case she worked on was about a man from Pennsylvania who joined the January 6th mob. The court looked at if his actions broke the law. This could affect many others, including former President Donald Trump.
Prelogar also worked on important abortion-related cases. Even though the court didn’t agree with her on protecting abortion rights, her hard work and skill are praised by experts.
Her skills in speaking in court are impressive. Lawyers who have argued before the Supreme Court say she’s very good. As the second woman to be U.S. Solicitor General, Prelogar will make a big mark. Her work on these supreme court cases will change the law for a long time.
“Prelogar emphasized the legal doctrine known as stare decisis in the second abortion case she argued as solicitor general.”
Balancing Career and Personal Life
Elizabeth Prelogar shines as the U.S. Solicitor General. She handles her tough job with skill. She also makes time for her family, balancing work and home life well.
Mother of Two Sons
Elizabeth Prelogar loves being a mom to two sons. She blends her career with family life smoothly. She values every moment with her kids, despite her busy schedule.
Lecturer at Harvard Law School
Elizabeth Prelogar also teaches at Harvard Law School. She shares her knowledge with future lawyers. She co-teaches a course on Supreme Court advocacy, inspiring many.
Elizabeth Prelogar shows how to balance work and family. She proves you can achieve a lot and still have a happy family.
“As a mother, I’ve learned that life is all about finding the right balance. It’s not always easy, but it’s a journey I’m grateful to be on.”
–Elizabeth Prelogar, U.S. Solicitor General
Impact and Legacy of elizabeth prelogar
Elizabeth Prelogar is the 48th Solicitor General of the United States. She was chosen by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate. She is the fourth-ranking person at the Department of Justice. She also represents the United States before the Supreme Court.
Prelogar is known for her deep knowledge and experience. She uses this to handle complex and high-profile cases. Even with a conservative Supreme Court, she stands out as a skilled advocate. Her background includes working with top judges and Supreme Court Justices.
One big case she’s worked on is Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This case questions Mississippi’s law on abortion at 15 weeks. It’s the first time the Supreme Court has looked at a ban like this since Roe v. Wade in 1973.
“Prelogar has demonstrated her prowess as a skilled advocate, drawing on her impressive legal background, which includes clerkships with esteemed judges and Supreme Court Justices.”
Prelogar’s role in the fight over reproductive rights is very important. She can navigate the complex legal issues well. Her work will greatly affect the future of this important issue.
Prelogar is also known for her commitment to public service and the rule of law. She inspires many with her journey from a small town in Idaho to the top of the legal world. She shows what it means to make a big impact in the legal system.
Elizabeth Prelogar’s work as Solicitor General will keep making a difference. She will face many challenges and stand up for justice and equality. These are key values in the American legal system.
Skills and Attributes of Elizabeth Prelogar
Elizabeth Prelogar is known as a top lawyer with a great talent for solving complex legal problems. She works hard and seeks advice to succeed. She also balances many tasks and listens to others’ ideas well.
Her optimism and belief in the power of a strong argument and hard work have been tested. This is as she deals with the tough parts of being the U.S. Solicitor General.
Prelogar shows her legal skills and dedication through her career. She has clerked for famous judges and Supreme Court. She has worked at top law firms and in various roles at the Department of Justice. This has made her a strong legal advocate.
She also balances work and family life well, staying positive and engaged with others. This shows she’s a great leader and role model in law.
As Elizabeth Prelogar keeps facing the challenges of being the Solicitor General, her skills and dedication will likely make a big mark on U.S. law.