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.
They need to beef up their defense team for what is coming due to maladministration of function in the ADNR mining directorate and evidence of bribery from BSNC and Kawerak on matters of permit application evaluation.
Send her packing.
She’ll be out of a job in a couple of months anyway
Strange, the position wasn’t in the budget!!
The position works for FREE until it is in the budget. NOT! They’ll find money in the Attorney General’s slush fund to fund a new . The Attorney General serves as
– legal advisor to the Governor and all state agencies,
– prosecutes violations of state criminal laws,
– represents the state and its officers in civil matters, and
– enforces the consumer protection and unfair trade practices laws.
Plus, the position is somehow able to create new position descriptions and new position control numbers that did not exist in the current budget of the Department of Law without any consequence from the Department of Administration/Division of Personnel. The Governor (A.G.’s boss) is not going to do anything about it.
Just cause they have an SG in the lower 48 doesn’t mean we need one and especially not one from the lower 48. She will not be doing anything the AG cannot do, if he would forget politics and do his job.
That the new attorney is from out-of-state is a non-issue. The Department of Law has historically hired MANY lawyers from outside Alaska. Where do you think Alaska’s infestation of Lefty lawyers originated? Being from Alaska is almost disqualifying; they certainly don’t want anyone with any historical knowledge inside the special club.
Bet your ass, you are right
What a load of crap. Alaska should be working to REDUCE the overhead in Juneau, REDUCE dependence on Federal money, REDUCE the cost of government, not make up new jobs that are unnecessary and duplicative.
Too bad all if you don’t understand the need. For the past 4 years our former AG fought the Biden administration constantly on lawsuits. It is more than someone running the department law with supervising over 300 attorneys in the state should do. You either want to fight environmentalists over AK issues or you don’t.
Boo Hoo!!
Remedy is not always served in the judicial branch. The legislative branch needs to be structurally strengthened in Alaska I believe. No matter what a well mannered SG feels he or she is legally constrained as all are by the foundational law of the republic the US Constitution. All political power is retained by the Alaskan people. Their representatives need a stronger organizational response when Alaskan’s rights are tyrannically usurped. What is that process exactly. The legislators should be equally busy investigating usurpations. “Wear a mask!”. “Have your head examined”. “You are no longer a Dad. That woman o longer likes you and she has a process to use to obstruct you rights in your personage”. Etc. These are usurpations. The legislature accepting stipends are supposed to investigate such petitions and resolve them outside the judiciary.
Question? Will this person follow “The Rule of Law” and abide by the Constitution. This person needs to know Alaska not Indiana… We need people who support the people of this State. The State of Alaska!