You probably haven’t heard the name Sarah Harris at a dinner party lately. But in the marble hallways of the One First Street, she’s kind of a big deal. Actually, that’s an understatement. Sarah Harris (Williams & Connolly) has become one of the most formidable forces in the niche, high-stakes world of Supreme Court litigation.
If you look at the landscape of the American legal system in 2026, you’ll see her fingerprints everywhere. It’s not just about winning cases; it’s about how she wins them. Most lawyers go their whole lives without arguing once before the highest court in the land. Harris? She’s done it five times. And she didn't just show up; she dominated.
The Meteoric Rise of Sarah Harris
Sarah Harris didn't just stumble into a partnership at a prestigious firm like Williams & Connolly. Her resume reads like a checklist for "Future Legal Legend." We’re talking summa cum laude from Princeton and magna cum laude from Harvard Law.
But it’s the clerkships that really tell the story. She clerked for Judge Sandra Lynch on the First Circuit, Judge Laurence Silberman on the D.C. Circuit, and—most notably—Justice Clarence Thomas at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Clerking for Thomas is basically the Navy SEAL training of the legal world. It’s intense. It’s intellectual. And it clearly left a mark on her approach to the law. Honestly, when you’ve survived the pressure cooker of the Thomas chambers, arguing a case in front of the full bench probably feels like a Tuesday afternoon at the grocery store.
Why Williams & Connolly Bet Big on Her
Williams & Connolly is a firm known for being intensely picky. They don’t usually hire partners from the outside. They like to grow their own talent from the associate level. Harris was the third lateral partner in the firm's entire fifty-plus-year history. Let that sink in.
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She joined the firm’s Supreme Court and Appellate practice, working alongside the legendary Lisa Blatt. If Blatt is the "G.O.A.T." of female appellate advocates, Harris is the heir apparent. Together, they’ve formed a powerhouse team that corporations and individuals turn to when everything is on the line.
- Salinas v. United States Railroad Retirement Board: This was Harris’s debut at the Supreme Court. High stakes? Yes. Nervous? Maybe, but you wouldn't know it. She secured a 5-4 win that expanded judicial review for railroad workers.
- Carr v. Saul: A unanimous 9-0 victory. In a town as divided as Washington, getting nine justices to agree on anything is basically a miracle.
- Bartenwerfer v. Buckley: Another notch in the win column, proving she can handle complex commercial and bankruptcy-adjacent issues with ease.
The "Acting Solicitor General" Era
Fast forward to the start of 2025. The political winds shifted, and the Department of Justice needed a steady hand. On January 16, 2025, Sarah Harris was tapped to serve as the Acting Solicitor General of the United States.
Think about that role for a second. The Solicitor General is often called the "tenth justice." They decide which cases the government will appeal and what the United States' official position is on the most controversial issues of the day.
Even in a temporary "acting" capacity, Harris held the keys to the kingdom while Dean John Sauer awaited confirmation. It was a brief but pivotal window where she moved from representing private clients to representing "We the People."
What Makes Her Different?
There’s a specific style to Harris’s advocacy. It’s not flashy for the sake of being flashy. It’s precise. If you listen to her oral arguments (they're all on Oyez if you're a legal nerd), she has this way of making the most complex administrative law questions sound like common sense.
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She once told an interviewer that "not being a jerk is a cardinal rule of appellate practice." It sounds simple, right? But in a field full of massive egos, that level of professional humility—paired with a lethal intellect—is why judges trust her.
The Family Connection (The Other Harris)
Legal circles in D.C. are small. It turns out Harris is part of a "legal power couple." Her husband is Jeffrey Harris, a partner at Consovoy McCarthy. If you follow political litigation, you know that firm has been at the center of some of the biggest battles of the last decade, including representing Donald Trump in various tax and records disputes.
While they often operate in different legal spheres, having two top-tier appellate litigators under one roof is basically the D.C. equivalent of a Hollywood power couple. It’s a lot of brainpower for one breakfast table.
Why You Should Care
You might think, "Okay, she’s a great lawyer. So what?"
Here’s why it matters: The Supreme Court is more influential now than it has been in generations. The people who argue before it—the "Supreme Court Bar"—are a tiny group of elite advocates who shape the laws we live under.
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When Sarah Harris (Williams & Connolly) stands up at the lectern, she isn't just talking to the nine justices. She’s helping define the boundaries of the First Amendment, the power of federal agencies, and the rights of individual citizens.
Key Milestones to Remember
- 2015-2016: Clerkship with Justice Clarence Thomas.
- 2019: Joins Williams & Connolly as a rare lateral partner.
- 2021: Bloomberg Law names her to the "40 Under 40" list after back-to-back Supreme Court wins.
- 2025: Serves as Acting Solicitor General of the United States.
- 2026: Returns to private practice as a leading light in the appellate bar.
Navigating the Future of Appellate Law
If you’re looking to follow the trajectory of the next generation of legal leadership, Sarah Harris is the person to watch. She represents a shift toward younger, highly specialized advocates who understand the nuances of a shifting court.
For businesses or individuals facing high-level legal challenges, her career offers a blueprint: start with a deep understanding of the "originalist" philosophy (honed under Thomas), master the art of the oral argument (under Blatt), and maintain a reputation for integrity.
Keep an eye on the Supreme Court docket for the 2026-2027 term. Chances are, you’ll see her name there again, arguing a case that will probably end up in the history books.
To stay updated on the cases Sarah Harris is handling, you can monitor the U.S. Supreme Court's online docket or follow the Williams & Connolly firm news page. Watching oral argument transcripts on Oyez or SCOTUSblog provides the best insight into how she constructs her winning arguments in real-time.