Since the 1992 Supreme Court term, the NAAG Best Brief Awards have honored appellate practitioners from state attorneys general offices who have exhibited superb work in representing their states before the U.S. Supreme Court.

A panel of independent Supreme Court experts, each of whom is a leading member of the Supreme Court bar, annually reviews all submissions and selects the award recipients.

Recipients of the Best Brief of the Year Award

2024 Term

  • New Jersey: New Jersey’s Brief in Opposition in Mazo v. New Jersey Secretary of State. The authors were Solicitor General Jeremy M. Feigenbaum, Deputy Solicitor General Angela Cai, and Deputy Attorney General Dominic L. Giova.
  • Arkansas: Arkansas’ amicus brief in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis. The authors were Solicitor General Nicholas J. Bronni, Deputy Solicitor General Dylan L. Jacobs, and Senior Assistant Solicitor General Asher L. Steinberg.

2023 Term

  • District of Columbia and Illinois: Amicus Brief for D.C. and Illinois et al. in Moore v. Harper, No. 21-1271. The authors were (from D.C.) Solicitor General Caroline S. Van Zile, Principal Deputy Solicitor General Ashwin P. Phatak, and Assistant Attorneys General Adam J. Tuetken and Arjun P. Ogale; and (from Illinois) Solicitor General Jane Elinor Notz and Deputy Solicitor General Alex Hemmer.
  • Nebraska: Brief for Respondents in Biden v. Nebraska, No. 22-506. The authors were former Solicitor General James A. Campbell and former Assistant Solicitor General Christian Edmonds.
  • New York: Brief in Opposition in Dr. A v. Hochul, No. 21-1143. The authors were Solicitor General Barbara D. Underwood, Deputy Solicitor General Judith N. Vale, and Assistant Solicitor General Mark S. Grube.
  •  Ohio: Amicus Brief for Ohio et al. in Michigan State University v. Balow, No. 22-93. The authors were Solicitor General Benjamin M. Flowers and Deputy Solicitor General John L. Rockenbach. 

2022 Term

  • California: Amicus Brief for California et al. in New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen, No. 20-843. The authors were Solicitor General Michael J. Mongan, Deputy Solicitors General Samuel P. Siegel and Helen H. Hong, Associate Deputy Solicitor General Amari L. Hammonds, Supervising Deputy Attorney General Anthony Hakl, and Deputy Attorney General P. Patty Li.
  • West Virginia: Brief for Petitioners in West Virginia v. EPA, No. 20-1530. The authors were Solicitor General Lindsay S. See, Special Counsel Michael R. Williams, and Assistant Solicitors General Thomas T. Lampman and Caleb A. Seckman.

2020 Term

  • California v. Texas (California) Opening Brief for the Petitioners
  • PennEast Pipeline Co. v. New Jersey (New Jersey) Respondents’ Brief
  • Trump v. New York (New York) Brief
  • Montana and Wyoming v. Washington (Washington) Brief in Opposition

2019 Term

  • California v. Texas (California) Petition for Certiorari
  • McAleenan v. Batalla Vidal (New York) Brief of Respondents
  • Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue (Oklahoma, Georgia, and Arizona) Amicus Brief
  • Trump v. Vance (Virginia) Amicus Brief
  • Chiafalo v. Washington (Washington) Brief for Respondent

2018 Term

  • Bucklew v. Precythe (Missouri) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Dep’t of Commerce v. New York (New York) Respondents’ merits brief 
  • Virginia House of Delegates v. Bethue-Hill (VA) Brief of State Appellees 

2017 Term

  • Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Col. Civil Rights Comm’n Respondent’s merits brief (Colorado) 
  • Wilson v. Sellers (Georgia) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Janus v. AFSCME (Illinois) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Ohio v. AMEX (Ohio) Petitioners’ merits brief 
  • Washington v. United States (Washington) Cert petition 
  • Gill v. Whitford (Wisconsin) Appellant’s merits brief  

2016 Term

  • The Gillette Co. v. Franchise Tax Bd. (California) Brief in Opposition 
  • District of Columbia v. Wesby (DC) Cert petition 
  • Seminole Tribe of Fla. v. Biegalski (Florida) Brief in Opposition
  • Snyder v. Does # 1-5 (Michigan) Cert petition 
  • Nat’l Ass’n of Mfrs. v. U.S. Dep’t of Defense (Ohio) Cert-stage Brief for Respondents 
  • Davila v. Davis (Texas) Respondent’s merits brief  

2015 Term

  • Friedrichs v. California Teachers Ass’n (California) Amicus brief  
  • Nebraska v. Colorado (Colorado)Brief in opposition to motion for leave to file complaint  
  • Evenwelv. Abbott (New York) Amicus brief  
  • Sheriff v.Gillie (Ohio) Petitioners’ merits brief 
  • United States v. Texas (Texas) Respondents’ merits brief 
  • Utah v. Strieff (Utah) Petitioner’s merits brief 

2014 Term

  • Ala. Dep’t of Revenue v. CSX Transp. (Alabama) Petitioner’s merits brief     
  • Davis v. Ayala (California) Petitioner’s merits brief   
  • Hickenlooper v. Kerr (Colorado) Cert petition        
  • Michigan v. EPA (Michigan) Petitioner’s merits brief    
  • Jesinoski v. Countrywide Home Loans (NY) Amicus brief 
  • Ohio v. Clark (Ohio) Petitioner’s merits brief     
  • Gause v. Haile (Pennsylvania) Brief in Opposition 
  • Obergefell v. Hodges (Virginia) Amicus brief 

2013 Term

  • Lane v. Franks (Alabama) Respondent’s merits brief     
  • Mississippi ex rel. Hood v. AU Optronics(Illinois) Amicus brief        
  • Harris v. Quinn (Illinois) Respondent’s merits brief        
  • McCullenv. Coakley (Massachusetts) Respondent’s merits brief               
  • Burt v. Titlow (Michigan) Petitioner’s merits brief    
  • Harris v. Quinn (New York) Amicus brief         
  • Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA (Texas) Petitioner’s merits brief 

2012 Term

  • Shelby County, Ala. v. Holder (Alaska) Amicus brief 
  • FTC v. Phoebe Putney Health System (Illinois) Amicus brief 
  • Hollingsworth v. Perry (Massachusetts) Amicus brief 
  • Schuette v. Coalition to Defend (Michigan) Cert Petition 
  • FTC v. Actavis, Inc. (New York) Amicus brief 
  • Trevino v. Thaler (Texas) Respondent’s merits brief     

2011 Term

  • Bowie v. Maddox (District of Columbia) Brief in Opposition  
  • Howes v. Fields (Michigan) Petitioner’s merits brief        
  • Miller v. Alabama (Alabama) Respondent’s merits brief       
  • Maples v. Alabama (Alabama) Respondent’s merits brief       
  • Gonzales v. Thaler (Texas) Respondent’s merits brief        
  • Arizona v. US (California and New York) Amicus brief              
  • HHS v. Florida (Maryland) Amicus brief 

 2010 Term

  • Maples v. Thomas (Alabama) Brief in Opposition     
  • American Electric Power Company v. CT (New York) Respondents’ merits brief 
  • Ortiz v. Jordan (Ohio) Respondent’s merits brief  
  • Sossamon v. Texas (Texas) Respondent’s merits brief                                     
  • Wilson v. Johnson (Virginia) Brief in Opposition 
  • Williamson v. Mazda Motor of America (Illinois) Amicus brief 

2009 Term

  • Briscoe v. Virginia (Virginia) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Doe #1 v. Reed (Washington) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Graham v. Florida/Sullivan v. Florida (Louisiana) Amicus brief 
  • Levin v. Commerce Energy (Ohio) Petitioner’s merits brief 
  • Magwood v. Patterson (Alabama) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Quarterman v. Haynes (Texas) Cert Petition 
  • Jerman v. McNellie (New York) Amicus brief 

2008 Term

  • Bartlett v. Strickland (Illinois) Amicus brief 
  • Cuomo v. Clearinghouse (New York) Petitioner’s merits brief 
  • NAMUDNO v. Holder (Alabama) Amicus brief 
  • Oliver v. Quarterman (Texas) Brief in Opposition 
  • Ricci v. DeStefano (Maryland) Amicus Brief 

2007 Term

  • Medellin v. Texas (Texas) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Wright v. Van Patten (Wisconsin) Reply brief (cert-stage)
  • Allen v Seibert (Alabama) Cert Petition 
  • United States v. Williams (Alabama) Amicus brief 
  • Catholic Charities v.Dinallo (New York) Brief in Opposition 
  • Chamber of Commerce v. Brown (New York) Amicus brief

2006 Term

  • Fry v. Pliler (California) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Scott v. Harris (Illinois) Amicus brief 
  • Burton v. Waddington (Indiana) Amicus brief 
  • Leegin v. PSKS (New York) Amicus brief 
  • Panetti v. Quarterman (Texas) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Davenport v. Wash. Education Ass=n (Wash.) Petitioner’s reply brief (merits) 

2005 Term

  • Hill v. McDonough (Alabama) Amicus brief  
  • Illinois v. Bartels (Illinois) Cert Petition 
  • Woodford & Kane v. Ngo (New York) Amicus brief 
  • Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of  Northern New England (Texas) Amicus brief 
  • Beard v. Banks (Pennsylvania) Reply brief (cert-stage) 

2004 Term

  • Ashcroft v. Raich (Alabama) Amicus brief 
  • Medellin v. Dretke (Texas) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Illinois v. Caballes (Illinois) Petitioner’s reply brief (merits) 
  • Roper v. Simmons (New York) Amicus brief 

2003 Term

  • Illinois v. Lidster (Illinois) Petitioner’s reply brief (merits) 
  • Frew v. Hawkins (Texas) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Boy Scouts of America v. Wyman (Connecticut) Brief in Opposition 
  • Illinois v. Caballes (Illinois) Cert Petition 
  • South Florida Water Mgmt. Dist. v. Miccosukee  Tribe (New York) Amicus brief 
  • Locke v. Davey (Vermont) Amicus brief 
  • Bunting v. Mellon (Virginia) Cert Petition 
  • Locke v. Davey (Washington) Petitioner’s merits brief 

2002 Term

  • Ewing v. California (Alabama) Amicus brief 
  • A Woman’s Choice-East Side Women’s Clinic Brizzi(Indiana) Brief in Opposition 
  • Anderson v. Treadwell (New York) Brief in Opposition 

2001 Term 

  • Mathias v. WorldCom Tech. (Illinois) Petitioner’s reply brief (merits)   
  • McKune v. Lile (Kansas) Petitioner’s merits brief  
  • EEOC v. Waffle House (Missouri) Amicus brief 
  • Fallon v. Bd. of Registration (Missouri) Brief in Opposition 
  • Porter v. Nussle (New York) Amicus brief 
  • N.Y. Ass=n of Conv. Stores v. Roth (New York) Brief in Opposition 
  • Tahoe-Sierra v. TRPA (Vermont) Amicus brief 
  • Wisconsin DHSS v. Blumer (Wisconsin) Petitioner’s merits brief 

2000 Term 

  • Booth v. Churner (Ohio) Amicus brief 
  • Pierce v. Sac & Fox (Kansas) Cert Petition 
  • Duncan v. Walker (New York) Cert Petition 
  • Booth v. Churner (Pennsylvania) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Texas v. Cobb(Texas) Petitioner’s merits brief  
  • Alexander v. Sandoval (Alabama) Cert Petition 
  • Virginia v. Maryland (Maryland) Brief in Opposition to Motion 

1999 Term

  • Weeks v. Angelone (Virginia) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Vermont Agency of Natural Resources v. U.S. ex rel. Stevens (Vermont) Petitioner’s merits brief  
  • Kimel v. Florida Board of Regents(Tennessee and Ohio) Amicus brief 
  • Board of Regents of Univ. of Wisconsin System v. Southworth (New York) Amicus brief

1998 Term

  • Alden v. Maine (Maine) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Alden v. Maine (Maryland) Amicus brief 
  • Wilson v. Layne (Maryland) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • City of Chicago v. Morales (Ohio) Amicus brief  
  • Arizona v. Blaze Construction (Arizona) Cert Petition 

1997 Term

  • U.S. v. Scheffer (Connecticut) Amicus brief 
  • Ohio Adult Parole v. Woodard (Ohio) Cert Petition 
  • Ohio Adult Parole v. Woodard (Ohio) Petitioner’s merits brief 
  • Hudson v. U.S. (Ohio and Utah) Amicus brief  

1996 Term 

  • GMC v. Tracy(Ohio) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • McKenna v. Twin Cities Area New Party (Minnesota) Petitioner’s reply brief (merits)  
  • Idaho v. Coeur d=Alene Tribe (Idaho) Petitioner’s merits brief 
  • Bennett v. Spear (California) Amicus brief 

1995 Term 

  • Boyle v. Smith (Minnesota) Brief in Opposition 
  • Sharper v. Tracy (Ohio) Brief in Opposition 

1994 Term 

  • Babbitt v. Sweet Home Chapter (California) Amicus brief 
  • Center for Auto Safety v. Willis (Maryland) Brief in Opposition 
  • Missouri v. Jenkins (Missouri) Cert Petition  
  • Missouri v. Jenkins (Missouri) Reply brief (cert-stage)  

1993 Term 

  • Reed v. Farley(Indiana) Respondent’s merit brief 
  • Schiro v. Clark (Indiana) Respondent’s merit brief 
  • Heck v. Humphrey (Indiana) Respondent’s merit brief 
  • Victor v. Nebraska (Nebraska) Respondent’s merit brief 
  • Tyson v. Indiana (Indiana) Brief in Opposition 
  • National Org. for Women v. Scheidler (New York) Amicus brief 

1992 Term 

  • South Dakota v. Bourland (South Dakota) Petitioner’s merits brief 
  • Wisconsin v. Mitchell (Wisconsin) Petitioner’s merits brief 
  • Wisconsin v. Mitchell (Wisconsin) Petitioner’s reply brief (merits) 
  • Merritt Underwriting v. California (Mass.) Respondent’s merits brief 
  • Connecticut v. New Hampshire (Mass.) Plaintiff States’ Reply to Exceptions  

Learn more about the Center for Supreme Court Advocacy.