US President Donald Trump on Wednesday named [press release] acting Solicitor General Noel Francisco [official profile] as his choice for the permanent position. Formerly a partner at large international law firm Jones Day [corporate website], Francisco has spent a career in litigation. Francisco graduated from the University of Chicago in 1996, clerked for the late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia and represented tobacco giant RJ Reynolds [corporate website] successfully in a First Amendment claim against regulations, according to his Federalist Society profile [profile]. He has previously argued before the Supreme Court in McDonnel V. United States, Zubik v. Burwell and NLRB v. Noel Canning [JURIST reports]. It is expected that the Republican controlled senate will confirm [JURIST op-ed] Francisco.

Though Trump administration appointments have drawn public controversy, they have largely been confirmed. Controversial Attorney General Jeff Sessions was confirmed [JURIST report] February 9 by a vote of 52-47, largely along party lines. The potential replacement for Antonin Scalia, Neil Gorsuch, awaits confirmation hearings after his February 1 nomination [JURIST report].