The Solicitor General is a high-ranking official within the United States Department of Justice who represents the federal government in cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is responsible for supervising and conducting government litigation in the United States Supreme Court. Virtually all such litigation is channeled through the OSG and is actively conducted by the Office. The Solicitor General determines the cases in which Supreme Court review will be sought by the government and the positions the government will take before the Court. The Offices staff attorneys, Deputy Solicitors General, and Assistants to the Solicitor General participate in preparing the petitions, briefs, and other papers filed by the government in the Supreme Court. The Solicitor General conducts the oral arguments before the Supreme Court. Those cases not argued by the Solicitor General personally are assigned either to an Assistant to the Solicitor General or to another government attorney. The Solicitor General is appointed by the President and reports directly to the U.S. Attorney General. The Solicitor General is also responsible for reviewing all cases decided adversely to the government in the lower courts to determine whether they should be appealed and, if so, what position should be taken. Moreover, the Solicitor General determines whether the government will participate as an amicus curiae, or intervene, in cases in any appellate court. Other states, such as Texas, also have a Solicitor General who is responsible for supervising and approving all appellate litigation for the state and ensuring consistency in legal positions taken by the state.