After Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller announced he would be leaving his position, Attorney General Ken Paxton appointed Kyle Hawkins as his replacement.
“Since joining the attorney general’s office in 2017, Kyle Hawkins has used his legal expertise to fight federal overreach, uphold the rule of law and defend Texas in a number of important cases impacting our state and citizens,” Attorney General Paxton said. “Kyle’s experience as assistant solicitor general and his background in private practice and as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito have fully prepared him to continue the great work Scott Keller has done as Texas Solicitor General.”
A position previously held by now-Sen. Ted Cruz, the solicitor general serves as the chief litigator for the state before both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Texas Supreme Court.
During his time as Solicitor General, Keller obtained major legal victories in the U.S. Supreme Court, including defending Texas’ redistricting maps, voter-ID law, and ending an Obama-era unlawful immigration policy known as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans.
In the past year, Keller argued five times before the Texas Supreme Court and won each case.
Hawkins, who previously served as Assistant Solicitor General, will assume the position immediately.
“I’m deeply grateful to Attorney General Paxton for giving me the opportunity to serve as Solicitor General,” Hawkins said. “I’m grateful to Scott for his leadership and mentorship, and I am excited to continue to represent the interests of the State of Texas.”
