In a significant development, Indian-origin attorney Mathura Sridharan has been appointed as Ohio’s 12th Solicitor General by Attorney General Dave Yost, making her the state’s top appellate litigator for both state and federal court cases.
The appointment, announced on July 31, comes after the confirmation of former solicitor general T. Elliot Gaiser to a senior post at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Sridharan, who had been serving as Ohio’s Deputy Solicitor General, has argued high-stakes cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Ohio Supreme Court, and several federal appellate courts, including the Sixth Circuit.
Her promotion makes her the highest-ranking appellate attorney in the state and a prominent legal voice in national debates on constitutional law and federalism.
Who is Mathura Sridharan?
- Current roles: She served as Deputy Solicitor General since 2021 and directs the state’s Tenth Amendment Center, initiating and leading suits to preserve states’ rights and challenge federal policy overreach.
- Supreme Court litigation: Argued for Ohio in Ohio v. EPA before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2024, successfully challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s interstate pollution regulations.
- Clerkships: Prior to joining the AG’s office, she clerked for Judge Steven J. Menashi on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and Judge Deborah A. Batts on the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.
- Academic credentials:
- J.D. from New York University School of Law (2018).
- M.S. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and dual B.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science and Economics, all from MIT.Other details: Born and raised in Ohio, she joined the solicitor general’s office in September 2021. She is affiliated with the Federalist Society and contributes to its discussions on constitutional law and federalism.
- Personal: AG Yost reaffirmed she is a United States citizen, born to naturalized parents and married to an American, responding directly to misinformation circulating online about her background.
Champion of Federalism and States’ Rights
Beyond her appellate work, Sridharan has also led the state’s Tenth Amendment Center, a legal initiative within the attorney general’s office that challenges what it sees as federal overreach.
In this capacity, she has filed and overseen lawsuits that seek to preserve the balance of power between state and federal governments.
“Mathura is a relentless defender of Ohioans, a champion of federalism, and a legal force to be reckoned with in a courtroom,” said Attorney General Yost in his announcement. “Her brilliant legal mind and masterful understanding of constitutional law make her the obvious choice to lead the team as Ohio’s Solicitor General.”
Yost also praised Sridharan’s tenacity and intellect on social media, stating, “Mathura is brilliant… she won her argument at SCOTUS last year. Both the SGs she worked under (Flowers & Gaiser) recommended her. I told her that when I originally hired her, I needed her to argue with me. She does… All the time! Excited to promote her. She will serve Ohio well.”
Impressive Academic and Legal Credentials
Sridharan’s academic and professional background is as distinguished as it is diverse.
She is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering, computer science, and economics.
She also completed a master’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science at MIT before transitioning to a career in law.
In 2018, she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law.
She went on to clerk for Judge Steven J. Menashi on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and for Judge Deborah A. Batts on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Her trajectory from STEM to high-level constitutional litigation has drawn admiration across legal circles.
She is also affiliated with the Federalist Society, a prominent legal organization of conservative and libertarian scholars and practitioners, where she has contributed to legal discourse on federalism and constitutional interpretation.
Racist Backlash Follows Historic Appointment
Despite her stellar credentials and endorsements, Sridharan’s appointment was not universally celebrated.
Following the announcement, a wave of racist and xenophobic remarks surfaced online, with some questioning why the role had not gone to a “real American.”
The backlash underscores the challenges that first- and second-generation immigrants often face, even after earning top academic and professional distinctions.
Supporters were quick to condemn the comments, highlighting her decades of residence in the U.S., her education at elite institutions, and her demonstrated commitment to public service and constitutional principles.
Looking Ahead
As Solicitor General, Sridharan will be responsible for shaping the state’s appellate litigation strategy and representing Ohio in some of the most consequential legal battles of the day.
Her leadership is expected to influence the state’s legal stance on issues ranging from individual liberties to the separation of powers.
Her appointment adds to the growing list of Indian-origin legal professionals rising to key positions in American governance, reflecting the increasing diversity in the U.S. legal and political landscape.
