U.S.solicitor general announces retirement

WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department attorney who represents the White House's legal positions before the U.S. Supreme Court announced Wednesday he is retiring.

Solicitor General Paul Clement said he plans to call it a career June 2, just weeks before the nation's highest court recesses for the summer, Legal Newsline reported.

In his seven years representing the Bush administration, Clement argued 49 cases before the nation's highest court.

Clement was nominated by President George Bush March 14, 2005, was confirmed by the Senate June 8, 2005, and was sworn in June 13, 2005.

He succeeded Solicitor General Theodore Olson as the fourth-ranking official in the U.S. Justice Department, the legal news service reported.

"Paul Clement is one of the nation's finest appellate lawyers," U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey said in a statement. "I will miss not only Paul's superb advocacy on behalf of the United States, but also his wise counsel and keen legal analysis."