LANSING -- Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that Tom Casey, the veteran Solicitor General of Michigan, will retire on Friday after having served in the Department since 1975. Cox also announced that Eric Restuccia, the current Appellate Division Chief, will succeed Casey as Solicitor General.

            "I cannot overstate the contribution Tom Casey has made to the Department of Attorney General in more than three decades of public service," Cox said. "Tom's wisdom and sound judgment will be sorely missed."

            A graduate of Michigan State University, Casey completed his Juris Doctorate at the University of Michigan Law School in 1974. Casey joined the Attorney General's office in 1975 after completing service as a volunteer attorney in a Washtenaw County legal aid clinic.

            Some highlights from Casey's career include arguing before the United States Supreme Court nine times and arguing before the Michigan Supreme Court twenty times. In his role as Solicitor General, Casey instructed 280 assistant attorneys general and developed department policy on appellate practice and legal writing. Casey is a member of the prestigious American Inns of Court, holding the rank of Lead Master. Casey frequently mentors young attorneys and law students outside of work.

            The new Solicitor General, Restuccia is an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania and a 1993 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. He joined the Attorney General's Office in 2003, after service in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. Restuccia is an accomplished criminal litigator, arguing successfully in numerous high-profile homicide trials. Restuccia has argued before the United States Supreme Court, and clerked for Michigan Supreme Court Justice Dorothy Comstock Riley.

            "I have confidence in Eric Restuccia's leadership abilities and legal knowledge. Eric brings exceptional talent to this position," Cox remarked. "It is the passing of a baton, but what will not change are the high expectations the people of Michigan have for their Solicitor General."

            The senior staff changes are effective Friday, July 25, 2008.

            MCL 14.28 authorizes the Attorney General to appoint a Solicitor General to represent the State Government before the Supreme Court, and to perform other duties that may be assigned. Historically, the Solicitor General of Michigan has served as head of the Department's Attorney General Appellate Division.

Below is a list of the Solicitor Generals of Michigan

Edmund E. Shepherd      January 1, 1941 to June 21, 1957

Samuel J. Torina             June 22, 1957 to May 15, 1961

Joseph B. Belitzke          May 16, 1961 to January 15, 1962

Eugene Krasicky            January 15, 1962 to December 31, 1962

Robert A. Derengoski     January 1, 1963 to February 12, 1982

Louis J. Caruso              February 15, 1982 to March 30, 1990

Gay Secor Hardy           May 29, 1990 to March 31, 1992

Thomas L. Casey          July 16, 1992 to July 25, 2008

Eric Restuccia               July 25, 2008 to present

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