This webpage describes the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) within the U.S. Department of Justice. The OSG is often called the federal government’s “law firm” before the U.S. Supreme Court.” It explains the office’s role, structure, and responsibilities in handling major federal legal cases.
The Solicitor General and their staff prepare legal briefs, decide which cases the federal government will appeal, and argue cases directly before the Supreme Court.
What it does legally:
This page is not a law or court decision. Instead, it explains the authority and function of a key federal legal office that shapes the United States’ participation in major litigation.
- The OSG controls and conducts nearly all Supreme Court litigation involving the federal government, including filing appeals and presenting oral arguments.
- It decides whether the government will challenge lower court rulings, support a case, or intervene to defend federal laws.
- It determines the legal positions the federal government takes, which can directly influence how laws, especially controversial ones, are interpreted nationwide.
