Other LanguagesOLYMPIA -- Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced he has appointed Sr. Assistant Attorney General Maureen Hart as the new Solicitor General.
The Solicitor General is responsible for coordinating cases at the U.S. Supreme Court and at appellate levels in both state and federal courts, as well as preparing formal Attorney General Opinions.
"I interviewed many talented candidates for this position, and I'm pleased to have selected Marnie," said McKenna. "She has impeccable credentials and is widely respected among jurists and lawyers. I would also like to thank Narda Pierce for serving as the Solicitor General for the past 12 years."
Hart joined the Attorney General's Office in 1978, and has served as chief counsel to the State Auditor and Office of Financial Management. She has also served as chief of two divisions and as the Solicitor General in 1997.
She argued Seling v. Young before the U.S. Supreme Court, successfully defending Washington's sexually violent predator statute and Devenpeck v. Alford, successfully defending government's authority to arrest. In addition, Hart has argued several significant cases in the state appellate courts, including State ex. rel. Gallwey v. Grimm, addressing the religion provisions of the Washington Constitution and Washington State Legislature v. Lowry, a case considering the veto power of the Governor.
Hart has chaired the WSBA Rules of Professional Conduct Committee and the WSBA's Litigation Section Executive Committee. She received the WSBA's Award of Merit in 2003, and was named the Government Lawyer Bar Association's 2003 Lawyer of the Year.
Hart earned her B.A. in Political Science from Washington State University, with distinction; and her J.D. from the University of Puget Sound, cum laude.
-30-
For more information contact:
Media Relations Director, (360) 586-0725