U.S. Solicitor General to Resign

Tony Mauro reports, "Clement Resigns as Solicitor General," for Legal Times.

Solicitor General Paul Clement, who led the courtroom defense of the Bush administration's anti-terror legal policies -- and emerged unscathed -- announced Wednesday he is leaving his job June 2.

Clement argued 49 cases before the Supreme Court in the last seven years and was viewed by Washington law firms as probably the most valued "catch" from the Bush Justice Department, with some managing partners guessing he could easily attract a $2 million or $3 million package.

But details about his next step were not forthcoming from Clement. A Justice Department spokesman said Clement had "no specific plans" and looked forward to spending the summer with his family.