Attorney General Skrmetti Appoints Madeline Clark as Tennessee Solicitor General

Attorney General Skrmetti Appoints Madeline Clark as Tennessee Solicitor General

Today, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced the appointment of Madeline Clark as Solicitor General for the State of Tennessee, starting June 8, 2026. Clark succeeds Matt Rice, who will depart the office in June to join Kirkland & Ellis.

General Skrmetti had the following to say about Clark's appointment:

"Maddy Clark is exactly the kind of lawyer we want standing up for Tennessee. She comes exceptionally prepared for this job through her clerkships for Justices Thomas and Barrett as well as Judge Pryor, plus her elite litigation experience in private practice. And of course, she has already put her extraordinary legal talent to work for our State as our principal deputy solicitor general. I have every confidence Maddy will step into her new role with excellence and integrity. I'm proud she will be leading our appellate team and excited to see what she does." Clark joined the Tennessee Attorney General's Office in December 2025 as Principal Deputy Solicitor General, where she quickly carved out a pivotal role in the office's national coalition work and complex appellate litigation. Prior to joining the office, she was an associate at Jones Day, one of the nation's preeminent litigation firms.

Clark's credentials include judicial clerkships with two Associate Justices of the United States Supreme Court-Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Amy Coney Barrett-a remarkable distinction that demonstrates both her academic excellence and her standing among the nation's elite appellate practitioners.

"I am honored to serve the people of Tennessee in this role," said Clark. "I look forward to building on the outstanding legacy of the Tennessee Solicitor General's Office."

As Solicitor General, Clark will oversee the office's appellate litigation.