West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has named a new solicitor general.
Michael Williams, who most recently served as principal deputy solicitor general, will take the reins immediately. He replaces Lindsay See, whom the U.S. Senate confirmed to be a commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The solicitor general position was created by Attorney General Morrisey in 2013 to enhance the quality of the Office and the state’s appellate work. The solicitor general reports directly to the Attorney General and frequently handles many of the toughest legal challenges which come before the Office. The most recent solicitor general argued several cases at the U.S. Supreme Court and many cases at the U.S. Court of Appeals and before the West Virginia Supreme Court.
The role also involves administrative and regulatory law issues, managing a team of top-notch attorneys and working with multistate coalitions on national issues affecting West Virginia.
“Michael’s dedication to the office and the people of West Virginia is impeccable,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “Michael is a consummate professional and I am confident he will continue to serve the state to the best of his abilities.”
“It’s such an honor to be appointed as West Virginia’s third Solicitor General,” Williams said. “I have some big shoes to fill behind Lindsay See and Elbert Lin, and I can’t thank Attorney General Morrisey enough for deciding that I was up for the challenge. I’m so excited to keep fighting for this incredible state.”
See had been solicitor general since 2018 and has managed appellate and other litigation for the state within the Attorney General’s Office. Her nomination was recommended by the Republican leader of the U.S. Senate.
Williams started his career with Attorney General’s Office in August 2021. He had been principal deputy solicitor general since June 2023.
Before moving to West Virginia, Williams was a partner in Bush Seyferth PLLC in Kalamazoo, Mich. Through the years, he had stints at law firms in Washington, D.C.
He also clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Districts of Maryland and Maine.
Williams received his juris doctor degree—with high honors—from The George Washington University Law School (May 2009) in Washington, D.C. He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science (May 2006) from Bates College in Lewistown, Maine.
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