Crossword Genius

American litigant in one of several ministries initially (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

doe

I believe this is a double definition.

'american litigant' is the first definition.
(John Doe, fake name used in US court cases)

'one of several ministries initially' is the second definition.
(short for departments eg Department of Education)

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for doe that I've seen before include "Ode to a female deer" , "She eats vegetarian food" , "Female hare" , "Female kangaroo" , "Feminine counterpart of stag" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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