solicitor general

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Robert Bork, Polarizing High Court Nominee, Dies

Famed conservative jurist died of heart complications

(Newser) - Robert Bork, the conservative judge whose 1987 nomination to the Supreme Court sparked a political brawl and ended in failure, died today of heart complications, reports Fox News . He was 85. Bork was a solicitor general who became acting attorney general under Richard Nixon during the height of the Watergate...

Hidden WWII Report: Japanese Americans No Threat

Neal Katyal 'sets the record straight' at event honoring Asian Americans

(Newser) - Though widely condemned by scholars and judges, the World War II internment of Japanese Americans has never been formally denounced by the Justice Department—until yesterday. Acting Solicitor Gen. Neal Katyal, the top US government courtroom attorney, admitted US misconduct and harshly criticized the actions of one of his predecessors....

Supreme Court Skeptical About Climate Suit

Justices likely to throw out case brought by states against power plants

(Newser) - The Supreme Court looks like it will throw out a major environmental case against coal-fired power plants, reports the Los Angeles Times . The US solicitor general and several justices held that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency, and shouldn’t be decided by judges. The...

Kagan to Miss Half of Supreme Court's Caseload

Solicitor general post presents conflicts of interest

(Newser) - Elena Kagan began her new gig as a Supreme Court justice today, but thanks to her old gig, she'll miss the action in about half the 51 cases the court has agreed to take on this term. As solicitor general, Kagan drafted briefs for the court for 14 months—exposure...

Kagan: 'I Will Listen Hard'
 Kagan: 'I Will 
 Listen Hard'  
UPDATED
Jun 28, 2010 3:05 PM CDT

Kagan: 'I Will Listen Hard'

Supreme Court nominee treads lightly in opening statement

(Newser) - The first day of Elena Kagan's confirmation hearings has concluded, as expected, without any fireworks. "I will listen hard, to every party before the court and to each of my colleagues. I will work hard," the Supreme Court nominee and current solicitor general said. " And I will...

Kagan Holds Her Own Before Supreme Court

Cheeky solicitor general has given as good as she's gotten

(Newser) - Six times in the past 9 months, Solicitor General Elena Kagan has come to the mahogany lectern in the hushed reverence of the Supreme Court to argue the government's case before the justices she now hopes to join. Her arguments have gone like this: "Well, Mr. Chief Justice, even...

Obama Will Nominate Elena Kagan to Supreme Court

President Obama plans to nominate solicitor general for high court seat

(Newser) - President Obama plans to nominate Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court to replace John Paul Stevens tomorrow, MSNBC reports and numerous other sources comfirm. Should Kagan, 50, be confirmed, the high court would have three female justices for the first time. Her nomination marks the first time in 38 years...

Frontrunner Kagan Would Tilt Court Further Right

For liberals, she'd be a disaster, writes Glenn Greenwald

(Newser) - The smart money's on Elena Kagan to be President Obama's pick as John Paul Stevens' replacement on the Supreme Court. The solicitor general is "exceptionally smart" with loads of qualifications and expertise, writes Glenn Greenwald, but she'd be a disaster for liberals. The former dean of Harvard Law School...

New Solicitor General in Line for High Court

Center-left lawyer will work closely with Supremes

(Newser) - Elena Kagan became America's first female solicitor general yesterday, putting her one step closer to a possible Supreme Court nomination, the AP reports. As the so-called "10th Supreme Court justice," Kagan will effectively audition for the high court if she argues a Voting Rights Act case next...

Supreme Court Grows Even Clubbier
Supreme Court Grows Even Clubbier
Dec 15, 2008 9:40 AM CST

Supreme Court Grows Even Clubbier

High-profile lawyers socialize with friends on the bench

(Newser) - The Supreme Court turns out to be the kind of bar where everybody knows your name. Over the past decade or so, a small group of lawyers with educational, professional, and social ties to the justices have staked out exclusive territory at the building known as the Marble Palace. USA ...

Supremes Won’t Hear CIA Torture Suit

Earlier dismissals rested on concerns about national security

(Newser) - The Supreme Court declined today without comment to hear the case of a German citizen who claims he was kidnapped and tortured by the CIA. Lower courts had dismissed Khaled el-Masri's case on the grounds that a trial would expose state secrets. German authorities have said the US acknowledged abducting...

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