Kenneth Starr
Kenneth Starr
The Former Solicitor General of the United States
Full Name and Common Aliases
Kenneth Winston Starr was born on April 3, 1946, in Vernon, Texas. He is also known as Ken Starr.
Birth and Death Dates
April 3, 1946 - September 12, 2022
Nationality and Profession(s)
Starr was an American attorney, judge, and law professor who served in various high-profile positions throughout his career. He held the following professions:
Solicitor General of the United States
Federal Judge
Law ProfessorEarly Life and Background
Kenneth Starr grew up in a small town in Texas. His father was a lawyer, which influenced Starr's decision to pursue a career in law. He earned his undergraduate degree from George Washington University and later received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Duke University School of Law.
During his time at Duke, Starr served as the editor-in-chief of the Duke Law Journal. This achievement showcases his exceptional academic and writing skills. After graduating from law school, Starr clerked for Judge Henry Friendly on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Major Accomplishments
Starr's career was marked by several notable achievements:
In 1989, he served as a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Starr also worked in private practice, where he represented clients such as Microsoft and IBM in antitrust cases.
He was appointed Solicitor General in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush.
Notable Works or Actions
One of Starr's most notable works is his investigation into the death of White House counsel Vince Foster, which concluded that Foster had taken his own life. However, some have questioned the thoroughness and objectivity of the investigation.
Starr's tenure as Solicitor General was marked by several significant cases:
United States v. Lopez: Starr argued before the Supreme Court in this case, which challenged the constitutionality of a federal law regulating gun-free school zones.
United States v. Morrison: In another high-profile case, Starr argued that the Violence Against Women Act exceeded Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause.
Impact and Legacy
Kenneth Starr's impact on American law and politics is multifaceted:
His investigation into the death of Vince Foster raised questions about the objectivity and thoroughness of investigations.
As Solicitor General, Starr argued several significant cases before the Supreme Court, shaping the country's understanding of federal power and individual rights.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Kenneth Starr is widely quoted or remembered for his role in investigating high-profile scandals, including:
The Whitewater controversy, which led to an investigation into President Bill Clinton's financial dealings.
The Monica Lewinsky scandal, which resulted in the impeachment of President Clinton.
Starr's work as a law professor and his writings have also contributed to his reputation as a leading expert on constitutional law.
Quotes by Kenneth Starr
The key is for Consul to be very responsive. Their argument must be strongly rooted in law, in reason and in logic so that it makes sense.
I could have done more to say this is privacy-sensitive material that we felt was important for the elected representatives to have.
The fact, the reality is this: this investigation is active and it is at a sensitive stage, with ongoing evaluative judgments; those judgments have not been made, ... an office prepared to complete its tasks.
At the same time, this was a judgment made based on a very broad bipartisan sense that the American public needed to have this information and they needed to have it immediately,
It's disappointing in the extreme. I regret we did not have an opportunity to be heard, but hope springs eternal.
After a lengthy and unfortunate delay in our investigation, justice can go forward.