The Solicitor General is an executive branch official, and the office defends the policies and practice of the executive branch in the courts when they are challenged. … The office quite literally sits at the crossroads of the separation of powers as the primary vehicle through which the Article II branch of Government speaks to Article III. But, of course, the office also owes important responsibilities to the Article I branch, the Congress of the United States. … Finally, the office also owes an important responsibility to the Supreme Court of the United States. I have heard reference made to the Solicitor General as the tenth Justice of the Supreme Court. I am quick to add I have never heard that comment made by any of the nine real Justices.