Final answer:
Standing counsel are lawyers who provide ongoing legal advice and representation to an organization. In the U.S. Supreme Court, law clerks assist justices with research and writing, while the solicitor general represents the government in legal cases before the Court.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term standing counsel refers to a lawyer, usually employed by a government agency or corporation, who is appointed to provide legal advice and representation on an ongoing basis. The process of appointing a standing counsel involves selecting a qualified attorney based on experience, expertise, and the specific needs of the organization seeking representation.
In the context of the U.S. Supreme Court, law clerks play a crucial role. Each justice typically has three or four law clerks, who are recent law school graduates. They conduct legal research, assist in the preparation of the justices with background information on cases, and help with the drafting of opinions.
Law clerks have substantial influence on the decision-making process, as their work and suggestions can sway justices' decisions on whether to hear a case and how to rule on it.
The solicitor general, on the other hand, is a senior law officer appointed to represent the government in Supreme Court cases. This individual, along with the office's attorneys, is responsible for preparing and filing petitions and briefs on behalf of the government and presenting oral arguments before the Court.