Pratik Shah Quoted by The National Law Journal on Changes in the Solicitor General’s Office

Pratik Shah, co-head of Akin Gump’s Supreme Court and appellate practice, has been quoted by The National Law Journal in the article “Musical Chairs in ‘Year of Transition’ for Solicitor General’s Office,” which looks at changes coming in the U.S. Solicitor General’s office before the Supreme Court’s new term begins in October. The article reports that two lawyers have left for private practice, two others have joined, and more departures and hires are expected.

“This is a big year of transition for the office,” said Shah, a former assistant to the solicitor general, which he attributes to “natural turnover rather than any clear causal connection” with last November’s election. The main correlation with the change in administrations, he said, is that it opened up opportunities for lawyers to move to other jobs at the Department of Justice, thereby leading to the vacancies in the Solicitor’s General’s office.

Shah said political differences with the Trump administration could have been one factor for lawyers leaving the SG’s office, but he doesn’t think it’s likely overall. Some lawyers, he added, may not agree with the policy shifts, but “there has been no meaningful change in the quality of the work product.”