A tribute to Ed Kneedler

On April 23, 2025, United States Deputy Solicitor General Edwin S. Kneedler made his 160th argument before the Supreme Court, following which he will be retiring. This article is the first in a series of tributes from Mr. Kneedler’s former colleagues on his remarkable career.

Ed Kneedler is the most principled lawyer I’ve ever met. He served as “my” deputy for more than a year, but in truth he was not “my” deputy at all. Rather, Ed was the deputy to the nation and to our Constitution. 

When I was appointed and joined the Office of the Solicitor General, one of my first calls was to Walter Dellinger, asking for advice. The first thing he said to me was “you can trust Ed.” And I learned I could. 

Ed was my North Star, and when things got heated at DOJ, he was always a voice of calm for me. And when things got very heated with the White House, I trusted him to guide me on the right path (much to the president’s dismay at various times). But I learned what it meant to be a lawyer for an institution from Ed. And I learned how important doing the right thing was. No shortcuts, full transparency, and steadfast integrity to the traditions of the Office.

A few years after I left the Solicitor General’s Office, I was asked to give the University of Virginia Law School commencement address. I daresay that the remarks, which singled out Ed, Paul Clement, and Judge Jeffrey Sutton, have held up well for all three of them. Here’s what I said about Ed:

Ed was my deputy in the Solicitor General’s Office, and I have never met a finer lawyer, nor a more conscientious person. Ed works in an office with strong personalities – SGs who come and argue the big cases – with the glare of the nation upon them.  

It would be only human for Ed to be wistful about that sometimes. To use it as a reason to do a bit less work, to go home a bit earlier. But that’s not Ed. Ed is the guy who comes in every Saturday and Sunday. Ed is the guy who often turns the lights out in the Office during the week. Ed is the guy – if you are the SG – you can always turn to. The person you always can trust.  

What makes Ed this way? Well part of it no doubt is character. Integrity cannot be taught, it can only be modeled. And this guy models it better than anyone I know. But another part of it can be taught – and that is Ed’s commitment to institutionalism. Too many lawyers see themselves as solo guns for hire – even in big firms or big institutions like the U.S. government. I see so many people chasing the elusive “big” case – that will bring them fame and glory. And I see so many lawyers who elbow out others on their team to take the credit when there is a victory. But if you are constantly thinking not for the good of yourself – but for the good of the institution you are a part – you will often reach the place of integrity. Situate yourself in part of an institution. Learn its traditions. And protect them. 

At this unique moment, we need more Eds. But I’m not sure there will ever be another like him. 

Neal Katyal is the Head of the Supreme Court practice at Milbank, LLP, and the Saunders professor at Georgetown University. He previously served as Acting Solicitor General of the United States from 2010-2011, and as Principal Deputy SG before that.