The 48th U.S. Solicitor General argued the historic United States v. Skrmetti transgender youth healthcare case before the U.S. Supreme Court
Lambda Legal announced today that Elizabeth Prelogar, the former Solicitor General during the Biden administration who argued the historic United States v. Skrmetti case before the U.S. Supreme Court, will receive the organization’s Liberty Award at its Liberty Awards National Dinner in June.
“We are delighted to present our Liberty Award to Elizabeth Prelogar, a recognition she so richly deserves,” Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings said. “I was in the audience at the Supreme Court the day Solicitor General Prelogar joined with us to argue on behalf of transgender youth nationwide, and I was awestruck by her oral argument. Lambda Legal and the ACLU represent the families and the physician in this landmark case, and her contribution exemplifies the kind of professional excellence and leadership for LGBTQ+ communities that the Liberty Award aims to recognize.”
Elizabeth Prelogar is the Steven and Maureen Klinsky Visiting Professor of Practice for Leadership and Progress at Harvard Law School. Prelogar previously served as the 48th Solicitor General of the United States and has argued 35 cases in the Supreme Court. As Solicitor General, she was the fourth-ranking individual at the Department of Justice and was responsible for conducting and supervising all Supreme Court litigation on behalf of the United States. Before her confirmation as Solicitor General, Prelogar served in multiple positions at DOJ, including Acting Solicitor General, Principal Deputy Solicitor General, and Assistant to the Solicitor General.
Prelogar received her bachelor’s degree from Emory University, a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews, and her law degree from Harvard Law School. After graduating from law school, she clerked on the D.C. Circuit for Judge Merrick B. Garland and then completed consecutive Supreme Court clerkships for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Elena Kagan. She has also worked as an associate at Hogan Lovells and as a partner at Cooley, where she focused on Supreme Court and appellate litigation and maintained an active pro bono practice.
Lambda Legal’s Liberty Awards National Dinner is the organization’s signature annual gala, where nearly one thousand supporters from across the country gather to honor advocates, activists, and allies in our fight for justice and equality. Past recipients of the Liberty Award include distinguished leaders such as the Honorable Eric H. Holder, Emmy-Award winning actor Billy Porter, Pulitzer Prize winning author Tony Kushner, and sports & civil rights legend Billie Jean King—a distinguished group of influential movement leaders.
Lambda Legal’s 2025 Liberty Awards National Dinner will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at The Glasshouse in New York City. Tickets and more information may be found at www.lambdalegal.org/libertyawards.