“A Conversation With Theodore B. Olson,” the former U.S. solicitor general and a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, will begin at 4 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Bryan Cave Moot Courtroom of Anheuser-Busch Hall and serve as the School of Law’s 2005 Tyrrell Williams Lecture.
Olson is expected to discuss his experience as one of the nation’s premier advocates before the U.S. Supreme Court. He has argued 41 cases before the court including Bush v. Gore and Bush v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board.
Olson will also answer questions from the audience throughout his lecture.
The lecture is part of the law school’s Public Interest Law Speakers Series on “Access to Justice: The Social Responsibility of Lawyers.” William H. Webster, the former director of the FBI and CIA who is a law school alumnus and University emeritus trustee, will introduce the lecture.
Olson concentrates his practice on constitutional law, appellate litigation, federal legislation and media and commercial disputes. He has written and lectured extensively on appellate advocacy, oral communication in the courtroom, civil justice reform, punitive damages and constitutional and administrative law.
Olson has handled cases at all levels of state and federal court systems. His work has dealt with issues of separation of powers, federalism, constitutional amendments, commerce clauses and affirmative action. His cases have also addressed the constitutionality of punitive damages and of single-sex colleges, and the interpretation and application of federal sentencing guidelines.
From 1981-84, Olson was assistant attorney general for the U.S. Office of Legal Counsel. He then served as the personal lawyer for President Reagan.
Olson is a fellow of both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. He earned a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 935-6430.