Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced a high-level staff change Monday — and it involves the lawyer who has defended Idaho’s transgender athletics law.

Michael Zarian will be Labrador’s new solicitor general, which means he will take lead on constitutional cases before the Idaho Supreme Court, federal appeals courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Zarian has been deputy solicitor general since January 2024, according to a Labrador news release. In that role, he has drafted briefs and prepared oral arguments in defense of several state laws, including Idaho’s 2025 private education tax credit law. The Idaho Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the case on Jan. 23.

“He understands what’s at stake for Idaho families,” Labrador said Monday.

Zarian will succeed Alan Hurst, who had been solicitor general since January 2024. On Jan. 13. Hurst argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, defending a 2020 Idaho law that forbids transgender athletes from playing in girls’ and women’s sports.

“Alan defended some of Idaho’s most important cases with skill and conviction these last two years, especially arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court to protect women’s sports last month,” Labrador said Monday.

Hurst is returning to private practice in Utah, where he worked before joining Labrador’s office.