Litigation in the Supreme Court, by or against the government, is handled by the Solicitor General with assistance from relevant Department appellate offices and certain agencies. The responsibility of the United States Attorney goes only to filing the notice of appeal and preserving rights pending review, as set forth below. The United States Attorney may also be asked to have the clerk of the appropriate court send up the record needed either on direct appeal or on petition for a writ of certiorari. If the Solicitor General has authorized an appeal to the Supreme Court from a decision by the highest court of a state, the aid of the United States Attorney may be sought in the filing of the appeal papers in the state court.

[updated July 2018]