solicitor general

noun

plural

solicitors general 

1. a law officer who maintains the rights of the state in suits affecting the public interest, next in rank to the attorney general.

2. the chief legal officer in some states.

3. (initial capital letters),  the law officer of the U.S. government next below the Attorney General, having charge of appeals, as to the Supreme Court.

Solicitor General

noun

1. (in Britain) the law officer of the Crown ranking next to the Attorney General (in Scotland to the Lord Advocate) and acting as his assistant

2. (in New Zealand) the government's chief lawyer: head of the Crown Law Office and prosecutor for the Crown

Word History and Origins

Origin of solicitor general¹

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

Now, as U.S. solicitor general, he serves as the federal government’s top advocate before the Supreme Court.

From Salon

Lord Edward Garnier, the former solicitor general for England and Wales, said the reaction of Mrs Kohli was "entirely understandable".

From BBC

When the 9th Circuit Court refused to lift the judge’s temporary order, the solicitor general appealed to the Supreme Court on May 1.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s acting solicitor general Sarah Harris sent an emergency appeal to Chief Justice John G. Roberts on Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times

On Sunday, Sarah Harris, the acting solicitor general, sent a 35-page emergency appeal to the Supreme Court.

From Los Angeles Times