Michael Dreeben '81 | Challenges & Rewards of Representing the Government in the Supreme Court

Michael Dreeben '81, Criminal Deputy Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of Justice, talks about his work at the Office of the Solicitor General and Supreme Court advocacy in general.
Originally recorded November 1, 2010.
Sponsored by the Program in Public Law.

[@shooter7a]

Dreeben does not care so much about winning, or losing, as he does about seeing the right decision be made. He is a lawyers lawyer. Here is an example. A former fellow Solicitor General associate recalled an incident when Dreeben told him, “We won this case in the court of appeals, but we really should have lost it. So let’s tell the Supreme Court to hear the case and rule against us.” Regardless of the fact that he is considered the finest lawyer in Federal criminal law subject matter ON THE PLANET, this is the sort of person you want to see looking over the shoulder of the Mueller team. People can come up with all the theories they want, but with a person like Dreeben guiding Mueller, there is absolutely ZERO chance than anything improper will happen.

[@man4women]

...learning that Michael Dreeben would be joining Robert Mueller's team brought me here...his deliberate thought/verbiage, along with his disarming delivery seems to me like someone who might be arguing the case for obstruction...Obadiah 1:4 (thanks Fargo) Mr. Donald J. Trump...

[@anthonyamman3387]

Same here.

[@jackj5368]

Sounds much like a flaming liberal. Sort of wondering if Dreeben realizes it yet that the Mueller investigation of which he's playing a role in will fail -- dismally so. (?)

[@painfull2027]

And now he is Joining jack smiths team 😊

[@oaksbytheshore]

I just heard Mr. Dreeben's argument before the Supreme Court on presidential immunity. He was brilliant, credible, sensible. The Court clearly had great respect for him, and for very good reason.

[@kevindevore7171]

It's interesting of the different roles of the criminal deputy solicitor general work out.

[@ogapadoga2]

here comes Captain America

[@zhilous]

Go get them.

[@azmodanpc]

Humble, educated, articulate, self effacing and with a sense of humour...No wonder Mueller wanted him for his team. He's everything Trump is not.

[@billthestinker]

azmodanpc and overrated and bias just got slapped by Judge Ellis

[@admin2666]

The man that's going to make paste out of Trump.

[@WallTrapMedia]

You spoke too soon! LOL

[@butterification]

😂 and now he's defending Trump 🧐

[@gbb3273]

Abe Lincoln

[@williamkim549]

Trump is finished

[@samspira2394]

he will lose

[@jimmyconway294]

He will grind Trump to dust. Does that trigger you, snowflake?