A New Short List, This One for SG: Washington Gov. Said to Be a Possibility
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire is on a short list to replace Elena Kagan as solicitor general, but she isn’t saying whether she’d take the job if it is offered.
A White House official confirmed on Wednesday that Gregoire is under consideration, but didn’t disclose the names of any others on the short list, the Seattle Times reports.
Gregoire is a 1977 law graduate of Gonzaga University and a former state attorney general. She has argued three cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, according to the Seattle Times.
A prior report by the Atlantic had said the leading candidate for the job is former Jenner & Block partner Donald Verrilli. He is a senior counsel in the White House and has also served as associate deputy attorney general.
The National Law Journal names other candidates who have been mentioned as possible contenders. “This time around there appears to be a lot of jockeying for the post,” the NLJ says. “In the last decade or so, the job has “gained luster—and economic value.” The story notes former solicitor general Paul Clement jumped to King & Spaulding in 2008 for a reported $5 million compensation package.
The NLJ identifies the possible contenders for Kagan’s job as:
• Principal deputy solicitor general Neal Katyal.
• David Frederick, a partner with Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel who has represented consumers in pre-emption cases before the Supreme Court. He formerly worked in the solicitor general’s office.
• Former New York solicitor general Preeta Bansal, a former partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York. Bansal is now general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget.
• Former Morrison & Foerster partner Beth Brinkmann, who now heads the civil appellate division of the Justice Department.
• Patricia Millett, a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
