Eric M. George

George, a well-connected Republican who has advised presidents of both political parties on judicial selections, has carved out a niche taking on worthy but politically fraught causes.

In March, he accused U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, in a shareholder action of relying on inside knowledge about the coronavirus outbreak to make stock trades. Jacobson v. Burr, 20-CV00799 (D. D.C., filed March 23, 2020).

"What the senator did in this time of crisis -- abusing his official position for personal financial reasons -- is enough to turn the stomach of even the most hardened cynic," George said at the time. "This had nothing to do with political affiliation but is an effort to hold this scofflaw to account."

George and his law firm partners are also leading the charge against Silicon Valley companies over suppression of unpopular ideas on social media platforms, especially Alphabet Inc.-owned YouTube. He has filed lawsuits on behalf of conservative commentators, LGBTQ activists and Black creators.

So far, the lawsuits have not yielded court wins but they have shined a light on the issue of censorship on social media platforms. In June, U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr recommended legislation to weaken Section 230(c), the provision of the 1996 Communications Decency Act that holds internet companies immune from liability for user posts, photos and videos.

Apart from his litigation practice, George has been instrumental in helping U.S. presidents and California judges find qualified candidates for judicial appointments.

This bipartisan approach appears to have served George and his firm well. This year, the firm hired its 50th lawyer and now has two offices in Los Angeles, as well as offices in San Francisco and New York. Among its partners is Nathan J. Hochman, the former head of the U.S. Justice Department's Tax Division; Thomas P. O'Brien, the former U.S. attorney in Los Angeles; and former California Gov. Pete Wilson.

-- David Houston