Erin Hawley Joins Lex Politica to Lead Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation Team

What's happening

Erin Hawley, an attorney widely recognized for her pivotal role in the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, has recently joined the conservative law firm Lex Politica. In her new capacity, she will head the firm’s Supreme Court and appellate litigation team, positioning herself at the forefront of conservative legal advocacy. Hawley expressed optimism about the current Supreme Court’s approach, emphasizing its commitment to originalism, which she believes creates a favorable environment for conservative legal arguments. This move signals a strategic effort to capitalize on the evolving judicial landscape and expand conservative influence in key legal battles.

Hawley’s legal career gained national prominence through her involvement in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the landmark case that led to the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Her success in this case earned her significant recognition, with some media outlets dubbing her "the lawyer who killed Roe." This reputation underscores her effectiveness in culture-war litigation and her ability to shape major constitutional outcomes. Joining Lex Politica allows Hawley to continue leveraging her expertise in high-stakes appellate litigation, particularly as conservative legal groups seek to build momentum following recent Supreme Court decisions.

Lex Politica, a conservative law firm, aims to bolster legal efforts supporting conservative policies, especially in areas such as abortion and transgender rights. Hawley’s leadership is expected to enhance the firm’s capacity to assist state attorneys general and Republican governors who often face resource constraints when defending conservative policies. By providing specialized legal support, Lex Politica seeks to level the playing field against well-funded liberal advocacy groups, which Hawley has criticized for their extensive pro bono legal work advancing left-leaning causes. This dynamic highlights a broader contest over legal resources and influence in shaping social policy through the courts.

Hawley’s new role also involves continuing her association with the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), where she previously served as senior counsel. Balancing responsibilities between Lex Politica and ADF will allow her to maintain strong ties within the conservative legal community and coordinate efforts across organizations. This collaboration is part of a larger strategy to create a robust network of legal advocates who can respond swiftly to emerging legal challenges. The alliance between these groups reflects an ongoing effort to institutionalize conservative legal strategies at multiple levels of the judiciary.

What's at stake

The stakes of Hawley’s work are significant, as the legal battles she engages in affect millions of Americans and touch on deeply divisive issues. Abortion rights, transgender policies, and other culture-war topics remain highly contentious, with state governments frequently at the center of these disputes. Hawley’s focus on supporting Republican attorneys general is particularly important given their often limited legal resources compared to opponents backed by large law firms and advocacy groups. Strengthening their legal teams could influence outcomes in courts nationwide, shaping policy and legal precedents for years to come.

Critics of Hawley’s approach argue that concentrating on culture-war litigation may overshadow broader legal principles and the pursuit of justice beyond partisan objectives. While conservative supporters welcome her leadership and strategic vision, liberal legal advocates have yet to publicly respond to claims about resource disparities or the implications of her new role. This absence of direct counterarguments leaves open questions about how these intensified legal efforts will affect the balance of power within the judiciary and the broader legal landscape.

Looking ahead, Hawley plans to build a "top-notch appellate shop" at Lex Politica, with additional hires expected to strengthen the firm’s litigation capabilities. Her experience clerking for Chief Justice John Roberts and her familiarity with the Supreme Court’s current composition position her well to navigate complex legal challenges. The firm’s enhanced capacity will likely focus on defending conservative policies and challenging liberal legal positions, especially as the Supreme Court continues to issue rulings that open new avenues for conservative legal strategies. Observers will be watching closely to see how these efforts influence future court decisions and legal battles.

Erin Hawley’s transition to Lex Politica marks a notable development in the conservative legal movement, signaling a concerted effort to harness the current judicial climate. Her leadership could play a pivotal role in shaping legal precedents on key social issues, potentially altering the trajectory of American jurisprudence. As she takes on this expanded role, the legal community can expect intensified litigation around abortion, transgender rights, and other contested areas. The coming months and years will reveal how effectively Lex Politica, under Hawley’s guidance, can influence the courts and the policies they uphold.

What happens next will depend on how successfully Hawley and Lex Politica can support state officials and conservative causes amid ongoing legal disputes. The firm’s ability to recruit top appellate lawyers and coordinate with allied organizations will be critical to sustaining momentum. Additionally, the Supreme Court’s future decisions and potential shifts in its composition will shape the opportunities and challenges facing conservative legal advocates. As these dynamics unfold, Hawley’s work at Lex Politica will be a key factor in the evolving landscape of American constitutional law.

Why it matters

Erin Hawley’s move to Lex Politica strengthens conservative legal advocacy at the Supreme Court level. Her leadership aims to support resource-limited Republican attorneys general in defending conservative policies. The firm seeks to counterbalance the extensive legal resources of liberal advocacy groups.

Hawley’s role builds on her reputation from the Dobbs case, influencing future culture-war litigation. Her efforts may significantly impact legal battles over abortion, transgender rights, and other contentious issues. Collaboration with the Alliance Defending Freedom maintains a strong conservative legal network.

The development highlights ongoing strategic efforts to shape judicial outcomes through appellate litigation.

Key facts & context

Erin Hawley played a key role in the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. She has joined Lex Politica as head of the Supreme Court and appellate litigation team. Lex Politica is a conservative law firm focused on supporting state officials and conservative policies.

Hawley previously served as senior counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom. She clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts, gaining insight into the Supreme Court’s workings. The New Republic referred to her as "the lawyer who killed Roe," highlighting her influence.

Hawley criticized large law firms for providing extensive free legal work to advance liberal causes. Lex Politica plans to expand its appellate litigation team under Hawley’s leadership. Her work focuses on issues including abortion and transgender rights, central to current legal debates.

Hawley aims to address disparities in legal resources between conservative and liberal advocacy groups. She will continue to collaborate with Republican attorneys general and governors on legal challenges. The Supreme Court’s current composition is seen by Hawley as favorable to originalist legal interpretations.

Timeline & key developments

2026-02-17: Erin Hawley Joins Lex Politica to Expand Conservative Legal Efforts. Additional reporting on this topic is available in our broader archive and will continue to shape this timeline as new developments emerge.

Primary sources

• courtlistener.com document

Further reading & references

• (Additional background links will appear here as we cover this topic.)