Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter has named Special Counsel Thomas M. Fisher '91 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."
"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."
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.
(Information for this story from a press release provided by the Attorney General's Office.)