AG Stephen Cox Appoints Alaska’s First Solicitor General 

Jenna Lorence, former Indiana Deputy Solicitor General, stepped into her new role as Alaska’s first State Solicitor General this past Monday. According to a Department of Law press release: the appointment of Jenna Lorence by Attorney General Stephen Cox has created “a new centralized leadership position created to strengthen the state’s appellate advocacy and ensure consistent, high-quality representation in courts across the country.” 

The question many Alaskans may wonder: why do we need a Solicitor General? 

Former West Virginia SG Elbert Lin lists the four reasons why a state may choose to appoint an SG: “First, SGs may lead the state’s appeals under state law. Second, SGs may lead all federal litigation for the state. Third, SGs may produce opinions for the state, providing legal recommendations on questions of state law to state and county officials in a manner parallel to the federal Office of Legal Counsel. Fourth, SGs may serve as senior advisors to the attorney general on legal and policy issues.” 

In other words, the SG represents Alaskan law in courts deciding federal or inter-state legal cases. For example, if someone challenges an Alaskan law as unconstitutional, the SG defends Alaska’s law. Another example is if the state of Alaska wishes to challenge some federal statute as unconstitutional, then the SG argues Alaska’s position in the Supreme Court. This position enables Alaska to more effectively defend its laws, provide a check on federal policies, and participate alongside other states toward the goal of holding the federal government accountable to all Americans. 

AG Stephen Cox states the purpose of his decision: “[Jenna Lorence’s] leadership will help amplify Alaska’s voice in the courts, deepen our collaboration with other state allies, and ensure that we continue to defend both the rule of law and the interests of Alaskans.” 

Although an SG could be an invaluable asset to Alaska, some seem skeptical that Jenna Lorence can effectively represent Alaskans given that her experience has been entirely out-of-state. She certainly has an impressive resume having served as the former Indiana Deputy SG, former Kentucky Assistant SG, Special Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, and an associate at Baker & Hostetler LLP. However, she has little to no experience with Alaskan policy, culture, or concerns. 

Time will tell if Alaska’s first SG can step into this ambitious role to defend the rule of law and represent Alaskan interests or merely prove to be an out-of-stater advancing her career.