Attorney General Names New Solicitor General

Fisher has served as special counsel in the Attorney General's Office since 2001.

Source: Inside INdiana Business

Press Release

Indianapolis - Attorney General Steve Carter has named Special Counsel Thomas M. Fisher to the new position of Solicitor General. The solicitor general will be assigned specific cases of constitutional challenges as well as other cases with issues of vital interest to state government. The solicitor general will also review and make recommendations to the Attorney General on the state's participation in filing or signing amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," briefs.

"Tom has a thoughtful, thorough approach to litigation that has served our state well over the past several years as special counsel," Attorney General Carter said. "The complex nature of constitutional challenges and other cases against the state require a dedicated individual with in-depth knowledge and experience with such challenges. That person is Tom. His excellent record before the Indiana and United States Supreme Courts is invaluable as we continue to seek methods and processes to enhance the state's legal arguments and decision making."

The solicitor general will be responsible for handling cases before the Supreme Court of the United States and will consult with the appellate division of the Attorney General's Office concerning civil appellate case strategy. It is anticipated that this new focus and organizational structure will provide the attorney general with a more comprehensive and coordinated legal policy review. It is also the first of several restructuring initiatives Carter has planned for the office during his second term.

"I am deeply honored and humbled to be named Indiana's first solicitor general," Fisher said. "Attorney General Carter has an important vision for enhancing structure and regularity to the formulation of legal policy, and he is committed to excellence in presenting the state's cases to courts at all levels. I share his vision and commitment, and I am proud to help lead the office in these crucial areas."

Among other cases, Fisher has defended Indiana's popular Do Not Call law on several fronts, including successfully arguing before a state court in Evansville and preparing briefs in National Coalition of Prayer, Inc. v. Carter, which remains pending in federal court. Fisher represents the attorney general in State of Indiana v. Pastrick, a lawsuit brought under federal and state civil Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) laws against the Mayor of East Chicago and other current and former city officials and contractors. Recently, Fisher wrote an amicus curiae brief urging the United States Supreme Court to uphold a state government Ten Commandments display in Texas. Seventeen other attorneys general joined the brief. In a recent ruling, the high court upheld the Texas display.

In 2003, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) awarded Fisher a Best Brief Award for his work in the United States Supreme Court.

Fisher has been with the Attorney General's Office as special counsel since February, 2001. Prior to joining the Attorney General's Office, Fisher worked in private practice in Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., and clerked for Judge Michael S. Kanne of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Originally from Remington, Indiana, Fisher received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991 from Wabash College, graduating with honors. He earned a J.D., also with honors, from Indiana University Law School, Bloomington in 1994.

Indiana joins 30 other states that have the position of solicitor general.

Source: Office of Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter