It is possible to imagine advocates that have had a better year, but very difficult: Donald Verrilli had a superlative term before the Supreme Court this year. Although no Solicitor General can be expected to win every case, Donald scored major victories upholding key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (nee Obamacare) in King v. Burwell, and marriage equality in Obergefell v. Hodges this term. Donald is not a showy advocate; he does not grandstand. He is a calm and considered advocate who really and truly understands the Justices of the Supreme Court. And no wonder – Donald previously served as Deputy Counsel to President Barack Obama, and he co-chaired Jenner & Block’s Supreme Court practice group. By the time he was appointed to succeed Justice Elena Kagan as Solicitor General, Donald had participated in more than 100 Supreme Court cases, 17 of which he argued.
