Zachary Tripp, an assistant to the U.S. solicitor general, has joined Weil, Gotshal & Manges as partner and co-head of the firm's appellate practice.

Tripp, who joined the firm's Washington, D.C., office Monday, adds significant heft to Weil's appellate practice. Tripp has argued 11 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and filed more than 100 briefs at the certiorari stage, Weil said, noting his areas of expertise include bankruptcy, antitrust, intellectual property and securities and foreign state immunity.

Tripp is one of a few lawyers leaving the Solicitor General's Office this year. Allon Kedem, an assistant to the U.S. solicitor general for the last five years, left for Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer at the end of September, while deputy Michael Dreeben also is now teaching at Georgetown University Law Center.

In an interview, Tripp said that it was the right time to move on from the office, noting that the five-year mark is generally around the time when people start to look at other options. 

"It's a fairly typical time there," he said. "You have had the extraordinary experience of working there and had a chance to get up in court. But you start to feel that the learning curve is not as steep as it once was." 

Tripp said he didn't believe the office turnover was anything outside of the ordinary.

When he decided it was time to leave, he looked for a firm with "a highly talented appellate group, where I could help enhance its Supreme Court capabilities," Tripp said in a statement. "Weil is really a perfect fit, and I look forward to building out the appellate practice."

Before Tripp joined the U.S. Justice Department in 2014, he practiced at Bancroft, the boutique that Kirkland & Ellis absorbed in 2016. He previously clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Judge Amalya Kearse of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

With his last five years in the government, Tripp said he anticipated Weil's strong client base to help him develop client relationships and business.

In an interview, Greg Silbert, co-head of Weil's complex commercial litigation practice and head of the firm's appellate practice, said the amount of work the practice has on its plate and the firm's existing client base should make for a smooth transition as Tripp ramps up. 

"The lawyers in our appellate practice have been in high demand," he said. "We have three partners and nine associates or of counsel, and we are looking to grow the associate ranks."

That growth is in full effect, with the firm also hiring associate Robert Niles-Weed, who just finished clerking for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan.

Read More: 

Arnold & Porter Hires Allon Kedem for US Supreme Court Team