Biden Pressured To Keep Lawyer Defending Big Oil Off Solicitor General Shortlist

Biden Pressured To Keep Lawyer Defending Big Oil Off Solicitor General Shortlist

President-elect Joe Biden is facing mounting pressure to drop a prominent lawyer currently working for one of the world's largest oil companies from the transition team's list of potential nominees for solicitor general.

On Monday, more than 50 environmental and faith-based groups sent a letter to Christopher Schroeder, the Biden transition team leader for the Department of Justice, urging the incoming administration against naming David Frederick as federal government's chief attorney responsible for arguing cases before the Supreme Court. 

At issue is Frederick's current work defending Royal Dutch Shell against state and city lawsuits demanding the Netherlands-based oil giant pay for infrastructure damages caused by climate change. 

“We ask that you honor your pledge to support climate liability lawsuits by selecting a Solicitor General who has demonstrated their commitment to fighting for people, not polluters,” read the letter, a copy of which HuffPost obtained. “That means removing David Frederick, a corporate attorney who has represented Royal Dutch Shell against climate liability lawsuits, from your consideration.”

Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

David Frederick, pictured in the center, seen in 2008 outside the Supreme Court, where he was arguing a case on behalf of the now-defunct TV startup Aereo. 

HuffPost first reported last week that Frederick, 59, was under