News Summary
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has appointed William Peterson as the new Solicitor General following recent staff resignations linked to harassment allegations. Peterson will assume the role in July 2025, replacing Aaron Nielson, who previously held the position. The appointment comes in light of serious allegations against staff members Judd Stone and Chris Hilton, leading to their resignations. This change in leadership may signal an effort to enhance workplace culture and address ethical standards within the Attorney General’s office.
Austin, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has appointed William Peterson as the state’s new Solicitor General amid recent staff resignations linked to harassment allegations. Peterson is set to take on this important role in July 2025, filling the position left vacant by his predecessor, Aaron Nielson.
The Solicitor General is responsible for determining which divisions within the Attorney General’s office will handle appeals in legal cases, making it a crucial position that influences the state’s legal strategies. Peterson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve and acknowledged the contributions of Nielson during his tenure.
Nielson, who described his time as Solicitor General as one of the highlights of his career, will transition to an academic role as a tenured professor at the University of Texas School of Law following his departure.
The announcement of Peterson’s appointment comes shortly after two former staff members in the Attorney General’s office, Judd Stone and Chris Hilton, resigned in October 2023 amidst serious harassment allegations. The claims were detailed in a federal lawsuit filed in the Western District of Texas on May 27, 2025, which accused Stone and Hilton of sexually harassing and verbally abusing a former employee, Jordan Eskew.
Eskew alleged that Stone subjected her to verbal abuse over trivial matters, such as her choice of earrings and her lunch breaks. According to the lawsuit, he was also reported to have created a hostile work environment by screaming at female attorneys and pressuring Eskew into inappropriate actions, such as buying alcohol for the office. The lawsuit indicates that Stone threatened her with dismissal if she spoke about his drinking habits.
After returning to the Attorney General’s office following Attorney General Paxton’s impeachment trial, Stone and Hilton faced allegations of misconduct from Eskew. First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster recommended their termination based on the severity of the allegations. Webster communicated that Paxton was “shocked and appalled” by the behavior described in the lawsuit, raising concerns for the safety of his family due to comments made by Stone.
Both Stone and Hilton resigned without offering reasons after being confronted with the allegations. During discussions with Webster and Judge Grant Dorfman, Stone acknowledged the inappropriate nature of his actions, suggesting that they were acceptable as they occurred in a private law firm setting.
In addition to William Peterson’s appointment, Attorney General Paxton also made changes to his leadership team by nominating Austin Kinghorn as Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation, Ryan Walters as Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy, and Billy Cole as Principal Deputy Solicitor General. Kinghorn brings over six years of experience with the Attorney General’s office, having held various roles including General Counsel. Walters was previously part of the Special Litigation Division and played a significant role in litigation against the Biden administration. Cole joined the office in April 2021 and has argued in multiple courts, including cases that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
The recent developments within the Texas Attorney General’s Office come at a time when the office has faced serious scrutiny regarding workplace culture and conduct among its leadership. These appointments may be a part of broader efforts to address and improve the work environment in light of recent allegations and ensure compliance with ethical standards going forward.
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Additional Resources
- KXAN: William Peterson Appointed as Texas’ Newest Solicitor General
- Wikipedia: Solicitor General of Texas
- Houston Chronicle: Ken Paxton Staff Misconduct
- Google Search: Ken Paxton Staff Misconduct
- FOX 7 Austin: Texas Attorney General Sexual Harassment
- Google Scholar: Texas Attorney General Sexual Harassment
- Daily Montanan: Knudsen Hearing Ends
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Knudsen Hearing
- CBS Austin: D. John Sauer Trump’s Pick for Solicitor General
- Google News: D. John Sauer Solicitor General
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
