Theodore B. Olson delivers keynote at USC Law's 2005 Institute for Corporate Counsel
Former U.S. solicitor general speaks about working closely with the Supreme Court
© Lisa M. Brook/Brook Photography
Regarded as one of the nation’s premier appellate and U.S. Supreme Court advocates, Theodore B. Olson delivered the keynote address at the 2005 Institute for Corporate Counsel, presented by USC Law’s Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Office and the Corporate Law Departments Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
The 42nd solicitor general of the United States, who served in that capacity from 2001-2004, shared his experience with and opinions about the Supreme Court with an audience of about 200 attorneys on March 17 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles.
“The Supreme Court is our nation’s most remarkable and admired institution, whether we agree with their decisions or not,” Olson said. “Every aspect of our lives, it seems, comes before the Supreme Court: personal relationships, marriage, contraception, the government’s structure, religion, speech, property, discrimination — even the question of who can walk and who may ride a cart in a PGA tournament.
“During my time as solicitor general, I went to almost every single argument the Court had. Pretty soon I became addicted — I just couldn’t wait to get in there and listen. The justices are so well-prepared, and they ask very precise questions. It was fascinating to witness that process.”
Olson, who was the assistant U.S. attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel from 1981-1984, also took a very active part in that process.
He has argued 41 cases in the Supreme Court, including Bush v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board and Bush v. Gore, stemming from the 2000 presidential election. His other Supreme Court arguments have included cases involving separation of powers, federalism, civil rights, criminal law, copyright, antitrust, and jury trial rights under the Seventh Amendment.
As solicitor general, Olson served as the government’s principal advocate in the Supreme Court, responsible for supervising and coordinating all appellate litigation of the United States. He also served as a legal adviser to the president and the attorney general.
“It isn’t always in the best interest of the United States government to appeal every time it loses a case,” said Olson, who has twice received the U.S. Department of Justice’s Edward J. Randolph Award, its highest award for public service and leadership. “About 2,000 times a year, I looked over a thick packet of materials and decided — with recommendation from other units of the government — whether to appeal or not.”
Except for his stints with the government, Olson has been a lawyer with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher since 1965. As a partner in the firm’s Washingon, D.C., office, he is a member of the executive committee, serves as co-chair of the appellate and constitutional law practice group, and heads the firm’s crisis management team.
For more than 60 years, CLE has provided education for lawyers and professionals throughout Southern California and beyond. Its next program is the USC Law Institute - LACBA Benjamin S. Crocker Symposium on Real Estate Law & Business on April 21 at the Wilshire Grand.
