Newly named Missouri solicitor general highly regarded

One news item that slipped through the radar at the end of 2022 was the appointment of Josh Divine, an influential national conservative legal figure, as Missouri’s Solicitor General.

Divine has won praise nationally from conservative groups as a constitutionalist and he says he’s ready to take on the role serving Missouri citizens. He’ll serve with new Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey.

“My wife and I are thrilled to move our family back to Missouri, and I am honored to serve as solicitor general,” he said.  “I look forward to working with Attorney General Bailey to protect the rule of law and defend the constitutional rights of the people of Missouri.”

Divine has established a reputation among national conservative legal circles. He is a longtime member of the Federalist Society and is an approved speaker by the organization, traveling several times a year to speak to conservative legal groups.

“I am so thrilled that Josh — an experienced, pragmatic conservative — is joining my team to fight to protect our constitutional freedoms and values,” incoming Attorney General Andrew Bailey said.

Divine clerked on the U.S. Supreme Court for Justice Thomas and on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit for Judge William Pryor. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Northern Colorado and previously served in the Attorney General’s office from 2017 to 2019 as deputy solicitor general.

“The state of Missouri is fortunate to have a brilliant attorney like Josh Divine as solicitor general,” Bailer said. “His legal acumen and experience are incomparable. Missourians have also benefitted greatly from John Sauer’s work as solicitor general for the past six years and will further benefit from his work defending our state and our freedoms in special litigation. I cannot thank both Josh and John enough for their service.

Current Solicitor General John Sauer, who has mounted an impressive list of court victories against the Biden administration, will remain on staff in the role of deputy attorney general for special litigation. “Our team will be ready to move forward in January and immediately get to work on behalf of the Missourians who rely on our office every day,” Bailey said.

–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice