Neal Katyal, the former Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the United States, has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Top 200 Lawyers for the year 2024. This acknowledgment comes as a testament to Katyal’s extensive experience in litigation spanning 29 years, during which he has been involved in arguing 50 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Forbes highlights his notable victories, including his defense of the constitutionality of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and his success in a pivotal voting rights case in 2023 pertaining to North Carolina’s gerrymandering.
Katyal’s distinction underscores his remarkable legal acumen, particularly in constitutional law and litigation. At the age of 52, he has surpassed the previous record held by Thurgood Marshall for the most Supreme Court cases argued by any minority attorney.
In addition to his recent recognition, Katyal was named The Litigator of the Year by American Lawyer magazine in December 2017. With 48 cases already argued before the Supreme Court and two more scheduled for the current year, his expertise spans a wide array of legal domains, including constitutional, technology, corporate, patent, securities, criminal, employment, and tribal law.
Prior to joining Hogan Lovells as a partner, Katyal served as the Acting Solicitor General of the United States, handling significant Supreme Court cases such as defending the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and representing former Attorney General John Ashcroft. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including his role as the Special Prosecutor for the State of Minnesota in the George Floyd murder case and the prestigious Edmund Randolph Award from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Beyond his legal endeavors, Katyal has made appearances on television shows and has been recognized for his pro bono work. He currently holds positions as a Trustee of Dartmouth College and the Whitney Museum in New York City.
Hogan Lovells celebrated Katyal’s achievement on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “Congratulations to partner @NealKatyal, who Forbes Magazine just named one of America’s Top 200 Lawyers. The series highlights top legal practitioners, including those with stellar track records, leaders in their fields, and who are respected by peers and clients.”
Forbes’ America’s Top 200 Lawyers list for 2024 also features two other Indian Americans: Monica Arora, a partner at Proskauer Rose in New York, and Ambica Kumar, a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine in Seattle. Arora leads Proskauer’s Private Funds Group, offering counsel to asset managers on various funds, from buyouts to infrastructure.
Kumar, who serves as the co-chair of Davis Wright Tremaine’s media practice, specializes in content liability and electronic privacy. Renowned for her expertise in free speech and the Communications Decency Act, she advises clients such as Facebook and Microsoft on matters concerning defamation, copyright, and trademarks.
