Solicitor General Kenneth Starr

Solicitor General Kenneth Starr is a prominent American lawyer and judge, best known for his role as the Independent Counsel during the Clinton Administration. Starr was born in Vernon, Texas and grew up in a Baptist family, later attending George Washington University and Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. He began his career as a law clerk for Judge David L. Bazelon of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and later clerked for Chief Justice Warren E. Burger of the Supreme Court of the United States. Starr's early career was marked by his work with notable figures such as Attorney General William French Smith and President Ronald Reagan.

● Early Life and Education

Kenneth Starr was born on July 21, 1946, in Vernon, Texas, to Willie Starr and Vannie Starr. He grew up in a Baptist family and was raised in San Antonio, Texas, and Hot Springs, Arkansas. Starr attended Sam Houston High School in San Antonio, Texas, before enrolling in George Washington University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs. He then attended Harvard Law School, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 1973. During his time at Harvard Law School, Starr was heavily influenced by notable professors such as Archibald Cox and Raoul Berger. After graduating, Starr began his career as a law clerk for Judge David L. Bazelon of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

● Career

Starr's career in law began with his clerkship for Judge David L. Bazelon and later for Chief Justice Warren E. Burger of the Supreme Court of the United States. He then worked as a lawyer in the Reagan Administration, serving as a counselor to Attorney General William French Smith. Starr's work in the Reagan Administration brought him into contact with notable figures such as President Ronald Reagan, Vice President George H.W. Bush, and Secretary of State George Shultz. In 1983, Starr was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by President Ronald Reagan, where he served until 1989. During his time on the bench, Starr heard cases involving notable figures such as Oliver North and John Poindexter, who were implicated in the Iran-Contra Affair.

● Solicitor General of

the United States In 1989, Starr was appointed as the Solicitor General of the United States by President George H.W. Bush, a position he held until 1993. As Solicitor General, Starr argued several high-profile cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, including Pennsylvania v. Union Gas Co. and Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health. Starr's work as Solicitor General brought him into contact with notable justices such as Justice William Rehnquist, Justice Antonin Scalia, and Justice Anthony Kennedy. During his tenure, Starr also worked closely with Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and Deputy Attorney General William Barr.

● Investigation of

the Clinton Administration In 1994, Starr was appointed as the Independent Counsel to investigate the Whitewater controversy and the Monica Lewinsky scandal involving President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton. The investigation, which lasted for several years, involved notable figures such as Monica Lewinsky, Linda Tripp, and Vince Foster. Starr's investigation led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton by the United States House of Representatives in 1998, although he was later acquitted by the United States Senate. The investigation also involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Justice, with notable figures such as Director Louis Freeh and Attorney General Janet Reno playing key roles.

● Later Career and Legacy

After completing his work as Independent Counsel, Starr returned to private practice, joining the law firm Kirkland & Ellis. He has also taught law at Pepperdine University School of Law and New York University School of Law, and has written several books, including "First Among Equals: The Supreme Court in American Life". Starr has received several awards for his work, including the Edmund Randolph Award and the National Law Journal's Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also been involved in several high-profile cases, including the Hollingsworth v. Perry case, which involved the Defense of Marriage Act and the Proposition 8 ballot initiative in California.

● Personal Life

Starr is married to Alice Mendell Starr and has three children, Randall Starr, Caroline Starr, and Cynthia Starr. He is a member of the Baptist Church and has served on the board of several organizations, including the National Association of Evangelicals and the Christian Legal Society. Starr has also been involved in several charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. He has received several honorary degrees from institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and University of Oxford. Category:American judges