On June 22, 1870, Grant signed into law a bill passed by Congress that created the U.S. Department of Justice. The new bill went into effect on July 1, 1870, and provided great support for the U.S. attorney general. The law created the prestigious position of U.S. solicitor general, who to this day handles much litigation on behalf of the federal government before the U.S. Supreme Court. Benjamin Bristow served as the first solicitor general.