Marking a significant development in the U.S. judiciary landscape, President Donald J. Trump has designated two members from the Missouri Attorney General's Office for federal judgeships. The nomination of Solicitor General Joshua Divine and Principal Deputy Solicitor General Maria Lanahan to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri highlights the prominence Missouri's legal team has achieved under the current administration.
Having led pivotal legal challenges and worked on high-profile cases, Divine is a Yale Law School alumni and has earned his stripes as a clerk under U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. His efforts were instrumental in dismantling Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, which reportedly saved taxpayers $475 billion, according to a statement obtained by Missouri Attorney General's Office. Simultaneously, Lanahan has been a steadying force at the AGO, touting credentials from the University of Chicago Law School and contributing to significant litigation wins.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey, expressing pride in his team, declared, "Josh and Maria are two of the finest legal minds in America." Citing their achievements, Bailey also stated, "Their nominations are a testament to the powerhouse team we have built in Missouri." Their legal accomplishments stand as a milestone not only for Missouri but arguably for the country at large.
Divine, alongside holding the mantle of Solicitor General, also directs Special Litigation for Missouri. He notably steered the state's legal policies to secure victories in cases that involved what the office describes as radical transgender ideology and child mutilation clinics. "Josh has been the driving force behind some of the most consequential legal battles this office has ever taken on," Bailey told his office.
Furthermore, Lanahan's track record has spanned across various challenging cases, from writs to constitutional issues. She was recently recognized with the Dixon Award for Appellate Advocacy, emblematic of her keen legal acumen. Her clerkship with Judge Raymond Gruender on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and for Justice Zahra on the Michigan Supreme Court, solidifies her qualifications for a federal judgeship. Bailey asserts Maria's commitment, proclaiming, "I am confident she will serve with distinction and judgment as a federal judge."
With multiple attorneys from the Missouri Attorney General's Office being tapped for federal judicial appointments in recent years, the office has solidified its status as a national legal influencer. The recent nominations serve as a testament to Bailey's assertion that "Missouri is leading the nation in legal talent."
