Former Supreme Court Law Clerk And White House Counsel To Join Spitzer Staff

Attorney General Spitzer today announced the appointment of Preeta D. Bansal as Solicitor General for the State of New York. Bansal is a highly regarded litigator with broad experience as White House Special Counsel, counsel to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and a U.S. Supreme Court law clerk.

"Preeta Bansal is an aggressive attorney with impeccable credentials and experience," said Spitzer. "Her unparalleled zeal and commitment to public interest law will serve all New Yorkers well as she grapples with the challenges and opportunities that accompany her new post as the state’s chief appellate litigator."

Bansal’s appointment drew praise from influential voices in the legal community.

Walter Dellinger, former Solicitor General of the United States and former chief legal advisor to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno said: "Preeta Bansal is one of the most gifted lawyers of her generation. She combines a brilliant analytical mind with mature, solid judgment. New York will be exceedingly well represented before the state and federal courts by this exceptional attorney."

Senior Judge, former Chief Judge, James Oakes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit said: "I have the highest admiration for Preeta Bansal. She’s been a superstar from the word go. She has the soundest judgment. With her appointment, I am convinced the state’s legal affairs are in the best of hands."

Bansal was most recently an attorney with the New York City firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher where she specialized in media and First Amendment issues as well as intellecutal property and constitutional litigation.

She served as law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens of the United States Supreme Court in 1990-1991.
Bansal served in the administration of President Bill Clinton as Special Counsel in the White House from 1994-1995, where she specialized in litigation and judicial nominations.

Bansal also served in the U.S. Department of Justice from 1993-1994 and from 1995-1996, first as Senior Counsel in the Office of Policy Development where she advised Attorney General Janet Reno on issues including television violence, violence against women, civil justice reform and access to justice. She later served as Counselor to the Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, coordinating policy and litigation on matters involving intellectual property, high technology network industries and international enforcement.

Bansal graduated from Harvard-Radcliffe College and from Harvard Law School.

The Solicitor General, who oversees a staff of 100 attorneys and support personnel, is responsible for appellate litigation in both state and federal courts.