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Ian Gershengorn
Official-gershengorn.jpg
Acting Solicitor General of the United States
In office
June 25, 2016 – January 20, 2017
President Barack Obama
Preceded by Don Verrilli
Succeeded by Noel Francisco (acting)
Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the United States
In office
September 2013 – June 25, 2016
President Barack Obama
Preceded by Sri Srinivasan
Succeeded by Noel Francisco
Personal details
Born
Ian Heath Gershengorn

(1967-02-21) February 21, 1967 (age 58)
New York City, U.S.
Spouse
Gail Felice Levine
(m. 1996)
Education Harvard University (BA, JD)

Ian Heath Gershengorn was born on February 21, 1967. He is an American lawyer. He served as the acting Solicitor General of the United States under President Barack Obama. This was a very important job in the U.S. government.

Early Life and School

Ian Gershengorn was born in New York City. He grew up near Boston. He went to the Roxbury Latin School. In 1988, he earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard University. He graduated with high honors. In 1993, he earned a law degree from Harvard Law School. He also graduated from law school with high honors.

After law school, Ian worked for important judges. From 1993 to 1994, he worked for Judge Amalya Lyle Kearse. She was a judge on a U.S. appeals court. From 1994 to 1995, he worked for Justice John Paul Stevens. Justice Stevens was a judge on the Supreme Court of the United States.

His Career as a Lawyer

From 1995 to 1997, Ian Gershengorn worked for the United States Department of Justice. He was a special assistant to a top official there. In 1997, he joined a law firm called Jenner & Block. He became a partner in the firm. He worked on cases that went to appeals courts and the Supreme Court. He also helped Indian tribes with their legal cases.

In 2009, Ian returned to the United States Department of Justice. He became a deputy assistant attorney general. He helped oversee the Federal Programs Branch. This branch handles important legal challenges. For example, they dealt with cases involving people held at Guantánamo Bay. They also handled matters about secret government information.

Ian was known for defending a big law called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This law was a major achievement for President Obama.

In 2013, Ian Gershengorn got another important role. He was named the Principal Deputy Solicitor General. This job is a high-ranking position in the Office of the United States Solicitor General.

In 2016, the Solicitor General, Donald B. Verrilli Jr., stepped down. Ian Gershengorn became the acting Solicitor General. He held this position until President Obama's term ended in January 2017. He resigned because the Senate did not approve a new person for the job.

About His Family

On September 1, 1996, Ian Gershengorn married Gail Felice Levine. They got married in Dallas, Texas. Gail also works as a lawyer for the United States Department of Justice. Two of Ian's sisters are also lawyers. His father is a heart doctor. His mother, Wendie Gershengorn, was a judge in Massachusetts. Ian and Gail have three sons.

See also

  • List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States (Seat 4)
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